Suggested Research Topics - From Kresge to Kmart: The Changing Nature of the Variety Store Industry

During the past 80 years, the variety store industry in America has undergone major changes. The five-and-dime store of the turn-of-the-century evolved into the variety store of the 1940s and 1950s, and into the discount retailing stores of the past twenty years. The Kresge Company - now the Kmart Corporation - was one of the major innovators in the industry and often pioneered changes which were later adopted by other firms, particularly in the area of discount retailing operations.

Using the Kresge/Kmart Corporation as a case study, explore the major changes which occurred in the variety store industry from 1910-1970. What economic conditions triggered the evolution from five-and-dime to variety and later to discount retailing? How is the changing nature of consumerism in America reflected in the history of the variety store industry? Why was Kresge/Kmart such an innovator in the industry - what corporate personnel and business practices made it the leader it was and is? And what personal traits of Sebastian Kresge - founder of the firm - made him one of the giant figures in the industry?

Examples of Primary Sorce Collections and Other Resources:


In an effort to encourage creative thinking about possible research topics for students unfamiliar with archives and their inevitable complexities, archivists and student employees of the Bentley Historical Library have authored "suggested research topics ." The purpose of these is not to define a topic but rather to stimulate thinking about a topic where the holdings of the Bentley Library are particularly strong.