Back in 1989, for example, you might have popped into Rumbelows to buy a video recorder on which to play Crocodile Dundee II, strolled along to Fosters Menswear for a pair of stonewashed jeans and then nipped into Beejam to pick up some Findus Crispy Pancakes for your dinner.
News, then, that US retail giant Best Buy is considering bringing back the Rumbelows brand will be welcomed by many (see page 1). To some extent, Best Buy's strategy makes sense. Despite a huge market share in the US, the electronics retailer is virtually unknown over here. Plans to open up to 200 stores in the UK this year will give Best Buy a strong consumer-facing presence, but reviving a well-remembered high-street brand might just give it affinity with British shoppers.
However, things have changed since Rumbelows was last on the high street. Twenty years ago, consumer electronics were more of a considered purchase. TVs and video recorders were more expensive and lasted longer, so people took a great deal of time and care choosing them. This meant picking a trusted high-street retailer to offer advice. Now, however, the market is commoditised, with consumers seeking products at the lowest prices - regardless of their source.
So while reviving the Rumbelows brand might strike a chord with nostalgia-loving shoppers, it is unlikely to make them part with their cash. Consumers might shell out 50p for novelty value if, say, Snickers reverted to Marathon for a limited time, but there's little chance of them buying a flat-screen TV from Rumbelows out of love for the brand if they can get it cheaper elsewhere.