Department stores then and now: vintage photos show how they have changed

Vintage photos trace a shift from early 1900s department stores that sold necessities like food and home goods to a modern retail landscape where many luxury chains are struggling; the article reports that Saks Global filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday.

Vintage photos are used to show how department stores have changed over roughly a century. In the early 1900s these stores focused on selling necessities, including food, home goods and apparel. Today the article reports that many luxury department stores are struggling financially. The rise of the internet and the surge in online sales are described as major factors in that change. Key facts: - The photos compare department stores across the last 100 years. - In the early 1900s department stores sold necessities such as food, home goods and apparel. - The article reports that many luxury department stores are struggling to survive. - The article mentions Saks Global, the parent of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday. - The rise of the internet and increased online sales are reported as major strains on department stores. Summary: The images and reporting highlight a long-term shift from utility-focused stores to a retail environment where luxury chains face persistent financial challenges. Undetermined at this time.