Then and Now: National chain in Grantham placed weekly advertisements in newspapers.

The national chain of International Stores placed weekly advertisements in most newspapers, writes Ruth Crook of Grantham Civic Society.

They listed the prices of their goods, and the list gives an insight into what was being sold and the prices.

In 1897 their goods included [as spelled in the newspaper]: Pure coffee 1/5lb, Blended coffee and chicory 1/-, The finest butter in the world 1/-, Choice dairy butter 10d, Finest bacon 7½d, Finest hams 7d, Choicest picnic hams 4½d, Perfect mild cheese 6d, Gorgonzole rich & ripe 8d, Fine Dutch cheese 5d, Pure lard 3½d, Eggs new laid 20 & 24 a 1/-, New pack salmon 3d per tin, Sardines choice pack 3½d & 7d, Pineapples delicious whole tin 4½d. apricots in heavy syrup tin 6d, Peaches exceptionally choice tin 8d, Rice, tapioca, sago per lb 1½d, Primrose soap per lb 2½d & 3lb bar 7d, Wax candles 3lb pack 8½d, Jams fresh fruit & pure sugar, Plum & apple special 3lb jar 6d, Damson & gooseberry 8d, Finest marmalade 7d, Cakes, rich, light & delicious – Rich Genoa per lb 4d, Current 3d, Choice cherry cake 8d, Lunch or picnic cakes lb 3d, Genoa, Madeira, Cocoanut, Sultana &c.

It also advertised ‘Patent medicines & tobaccos, considerably below store prices’.