Blockbuster Video
It was the go-to place for finding entertainment. Stocking the latest films in a wide range of genres, the shelves were filled with choice. For a lot of people, a quiet night in meant heading to the local Blockbuster to grab a few videos or, in later years, DVDs. The stores also stocked console games. In 2010, the firm went into liquidation. Surprisingly, some franchises still exist in the US, proving that not everyone fell for the undeniable charms of Netflix.
Woolworths
It was one of the most popular shops on the high street, offering a range of items and famous for its pick-and-mix counter. We thought Woolworths would last forever, but sadly it wasn’t to be. The surge of online retailers and the financial crash proved to be too much for the company. It still operated as an online store until 2015, but it would never recover, much to the disappointment of its customers.
British Home Stores (BHS)
The company was best known for selling clothing and household items, although it later expanded into other areas. It’s said that BHS failed to adapt to the changing times. There’s nothing wrong with tradition, and BHS was once the place to go for a typically British gift. Many mourned its closure and are still hoping for a reboot.
Safeway
Safeway was once a thriving supermarket, known for its excellent customer service and product availability. It was purchased by Morrisons in 2004. The company made its first loss in history during the purchase, which also involved a goodwill write-off of £103.2 million. Today, Morrisons is the fourth largest supermarket in the UK.
Pan Am
It was a brand at the forefront of commercial flight. International air travel was considered the most glamorous method of transport, and Pan Am epitomised the exciting experience.
With the best pilots and most attractive air crew, everyone wanted to fly Pan Am. The brand was regularly mentioned in movies and television. It no longer operates, but the legacy still lives on.
Sony Ericsson
We often forget the phones that paved the way for today's smartphones. Many of you will remember the infamous Walkman phone, capable of 30 hours’ worth of playback. The brand was even a sponsor of the women's pro tennis circuit and created the first 12-megapixel camera phone.
Ericsson was acquired by Sony, and today the former phone range is called Sony Xperia.
MSN Messenger
Before the rise of Facebook and Twitter, teenagers spent hours chatting with friends on MSN. If you were a member of the messenger craze, you'd remember thinking up original status names and frantically using the nudge function when people didn’t respond. It was the origin of ‘brb’ and ‘ASL.'
Now discontinued, it stays firmly in the hearts of those who whiled away hours sending emoticons instead of doing their homework.
Tammy Girl
When discos were the choice of a birthday party in the 90s, Tammy Girl was there for every enthusiastic ‘tweenager’ to find an outfit. It was the baby sibling to Etam and one of the most popular girls stores.
The abundance of fashionable clothes and jewellery lightened the purses of many a parent.
Saab
The Swedish car company gained a loyal and faithful consumer base that hasn't quite got over its demise. It was the car of choice among intellectuals, and had many favourite models, with the Saab 900 being the preference among enthusiasts.
Compaq
This was one of the most popular computer companies for years, famous for creating the Compaq Portable. Made in 1982, it resembled a suitcase, but it was one of the earliest progenitors of the laptop. Although it was discontinued by HP in 2013, it remains one of the first contributors to the growth of PCs.
Gone but not forgotten...
These brand stories show that not all companies are easy to forget. Some operate under different names, while others remain fond memories. Morrisons recently told thrilled customers that they’d be reintroducing the Safeway brand.
So, whilst the MSN messengers and Blockbusters of this world may be lost due to evolving technology and changing times, they live on as a representation of our youth and nostalgia.
