Sunday, February 24, 2008

Bradlees: Evolution of Logos

Here's a history unearthed of many logos used by the late Bradlees department store throughout its life. As with many retailers in the days of print-dominant media, retailers would display and mainstream their week's sales and specials through the monochromes of newspapers.

After an experimental decade, Bradlees finally settled on a destined iconic, groovy logo far beyond the limits of groove's allowance (which is almost precisely the year disco refused to leave, becoming a subculture). As it turns out, the 1970s-centric logo we all knew would become the company's image all the way up until the dark day of defeat. Kind of told a story about the retailer who endured troubled times in the final decade of its life.

Upon looking through these, you'll find throughout the 1960's, the company began to craft a style they has branded as iconic: notably an arrow within the 'B'. It was then, in 1973 they had realized they had their own sleek, modern alternative to Caldor's "hip" rainbow motif.


1960: Before "Stop & Shop"


November 1960: Bristol Plaza; Bristol, Conn.


December 1960


1960-1961


1962


1962


"Mini-Pricing" Years: 1965-1968


"Mini-Pricing" Years: 1965-1968


"Mini-Pricing" Years: 1965-1968


"Mini-Pricing" Years: 1965-1968


1969


1970-1973


1973-1992


1979


1979-1992

Stay tuned for the relaunching of the Bradlees Store Locator and related Bradlees updates in the near future. If you've not already, be sure to explore our findings of former Bradlees locations including our newest find in Foxborough, Massachusetts.