Story: Department stores and shopping malls

Window display, 1915

Glass display cases at The Economic department store in Whanganui contain hats and gloves. Glamorous displays, both within the shop and in its windows, were an important part of the allure of department stores.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tesla Studios Collection (PAColl-3046)

Reference: 1/1-016364; G

by Frank J. Denton

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Helen Laurenson, Department stores and shopping malls – The heyday of department stores, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/22197/window-display-1915 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Helen Laurenson, published 4 February 2010.