From fallen high street giants like BHS, C&A and Toys R US to cherished independent stores like Casey’s sweet shop, Jenners department store, many of these businesses have sadly shut their doors for goods since these nostalgic pictures were captured.
But others have weathered the storms, including Covid and online shopping, and are still flourishing all these years later.
Toy shops, record stores, award-winning butchers and fishmongers, and fashion outlets are among the firms pictured in this retro photo gallery.
Chart-toppers Wet, Wet Wet, and the legendary ballet dancer Dame Margot Fonteyn are among the famous visitors pictured, at HMV and a famous Glasgow bookstore, respectively.
But these atmospheric images also show ordinary customers, from an 18-month-old getting fitted for shoes and a young girl playing with Sylvanian Families characters to one of the first shoppers through the doors of a new Argos store.
Among the shops pictured is the fabulously named Sheepish Looks knitwear store, the treasure trove discount outlet Ali’s Cave, and a fishmonger’s with a very unusual catch on display.
How many of these stores do you recognise, and what shop from the 80s do you miss most?
For more 80s nostalgia, why not check out this look back at the most popular perfumes and aftershaves of the decade?
37. Ali's Cave
Mr Azra behind the counter of Ali's Cave discount store on Edinburgh's South Bridge in June 1985 | TSPL
38. Martin & Frost
The interior design department of Martin & Frost department store, on George Street, Edinburgh, in May 1985 | TSPL
39. Currys
The Currys electrical store inside Cameron Toll shopping centre, Edinburgh, which was nearing completion in October 1984 | TSPL
40. Best sausages
Butcher Sandy Crombie of Crombie's, Broughton Street, Edinburgh, with the Best Beef Sausages in Scotland, in October 1985 | TSPL