LojaSears

With a stunning view of Botafogo Bay and a myriad of aisles, the Sears store marked the beginning of a shift in the consumer habits of Rio residents. It championed, after all, an American style of shopping, offering an impressive range of products, from perfumes to automotive items, as well as sporting goods, household items, and clothing. Opened in 1949, it brought to Brazil the tradition of the largest retail store in the United States. It closed its doors in the 1980s, and today, in its place, stands the Botafogo Praia Shopping mall.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a store called "Sears" located on Praia de Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, taken on March 3, 1972. The store occupies a building with a concrete and glass façade. On the left, there is a large window with stained glass. In front, people are walking or sitting on the pavement. In the center, a man walks with his back to the camera. On the right, the store's entrance has a sign with information about business hours. People walk along the sidewalk in front of the store.