From Main Street to Mall

The Rise and Fall of the American Department Store

By: Vicki Howard

Narrated by: Beth Richmond

The first national study of the department store industry, From Main Street to Mall traces the changing economic and political contexts that transformed the American shopping experience in the 20th century. With careful attention to small-town stores as well as glamorous landmarks such as Marshall Field's in Chicago and Wanamaker's in Philadelphia, historian Vicki Howard offers a comprehensive account of the uneven trajectory that brought about the loss of locally identified department store firms and the rise of national chains like Macy's and J. C. Penney. She draws on a wealth of primary source evidence to demonstrate how the decisions of consumers, government policy makers, and department store industry leaders culminated in today's Wal-Mart world. From Main Street to Mall shows that department stores were more than just places to shop.

©2015 University of Pennsylvania Press (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

" From Main Street to Mall offers sharp analysis of American retailing from a new vantage point, advancing our understanding of the department store beyond Macy's and Marshall Field's. A significant contribution." (Susan Strasser, author of Satisfaction Guaranteed: The Making of the American Mass Market)

"A must-read for researchers of American consumer culture and for anyone who loves to shop." (Regina Lee Blaszczyk, author of The Color Revolution)

A little too in depth for me..

Would be great if you were in the retail mall industry but for an outsider I felt like it went too in-depth about things such as trade organizations etc that I didnt care about. I skipped a few chapters but enjoyed the listen. Nothing spellbinding here but well researched. if you are trying to reminisce about your teenage days at the food court skip this one - more a history of retailing in America

Marvelous History Lesson

A detailed overview of the transactional and operational history of department stores, in addition to their social impact throughout the ages. Amazing how these stores went from being truly influential through their communities to existing almost only figuratively today.

Awesome book!

I loved the book so much that I've listened to it 2x. awesome narration, easy to follow. As a owner of 2 mall stores who loves retail and its history I truly enjoyed the stories and educational part of the retail history and more so how my city Cleveland Played an intrical role in retail. very well done. hope you write more related books. I appreciate you.

Carlos C.
Mall store owner.

It was ok.

Possibly too many details, but very complete. Next to nothing on how it affected individuals or their neighborhoods. Strange to quote online sources, to my ear. I'd go 2.5 stars if it were an option. It sort of reads like a textbook in spots, tho.