Ah, the late ’90s. A time of burgeoning internet, pre-Y2K jitters, and retail giants like Kmart still holding a significant sway in the shopping landscape. We recently stumbled upon a gem: a Kmart sales flyer from Memorial Day 1999. Dust off your Tamagotchis and put on your favorite Limp Bizkit CD, because we’re about to take a nostalgic dive into what was on sale that holiday weekend!
The Essentials: Groceries and Snacks
Right off the bat, the flyer reminds us of the staples of any good ’90s gathering.
- Big Kmart Soft Drinks for 79¢: Before the era of endless bottled water, a giant bottle of Coca-Cola or Sprite for under a dollar was a steal, perfect for those backyard BBQs.
- Snack Attack! Doritos, Lay’s, Tostitos 3/$5: This was prime snacking territory. Imagine grabbing a variety of chips for just over a buck each. Perfect for movie nights or fueling up before a round of Nintendo 64.
- Maxwell House Coffee (2.88) & Scott Bath Tissue (5.47): Proof that even in 1999, the mundane necessities still needed a good deal.
Summer Fun & Practicalities
Memorial Day always signaled the unofficial start of summer, and Kmart was ready:
- Pringles for $1: The iconic can, a road trip essential.
- Coleman Coolers for $19.99 & $34.99: Ready for picnics, beach trips, or storing your Ecto Cooler. These designs look remarkably similar to some entry-level coolers you’d find today.
- Disposable Cameras (2/$5): Ah, the pre-smartphone era! You’d snap your photos and then impatiently wait for them to be developed. The thrill of seeing what you captured was unmatched.
- Assorted Fans for $2.99: A simple, yet effective way to beat the summer heat before widespread central air conditioning was a given.
- Huffy Bicycles starting at $34.99: The classic summer freedom machine. Countless childhood memories were made on bikes just like these.
The Automotive Aisle: Practical Power
Kmart wasn’t just about snacks and toys; it was a go-to for household and auto needs:
- Rayovac Batteries (various sizes for $4.99 & $3.99): Essential for powering everything from boomboxes to Game Boys.
- Road Atlas for $4.79: A crucial item before GPS became ubiquitous. Plotting your road trip meant unfolding a massive paper map!
- Car Batteries starting at $49.99: Nautilus, DieHard, and Exide were the names you trusted to get your car started.
A Glimpse into the Future (and the Past)
This flyer is a fascinating time capsule. It shows a world where:
- Physical media was king (no digital downloads yet).
- Brand loyalty was strong, with recognizable names like Doritos, Lay’s, Pringles, and Kmart’s own “Big Kmart” branding.
- Value was often communicated through simple price points and bundle deals.
- The internet was still a novelty for many, so physical flyers were a primary mode of advertising.
It’s a reminder of how much has changed in a quarter-century, yet also how some things – like the joy of a good snack or the promise of summer fun – remain timeless. What do you remember buying at Kmart back in ’99? Let us know in the comments!
