The image on the right is from a Sears Roebuck catalog from 1915. It shows different products that “every woman appreciates.” Why did many retailers use catalogs in the late 1800s and early 1900s?

Question

to provide places for female inventors to sell their products

to advertise products retail stores wanted to buy

to advertise and sell consumer products

Answer 1

Many retailers used catalogs in the late 1800s and early 1900s primarily to advertise and sell consumer products. Catalogs served as a convenient way for consumers, especially those in rural areas with limited access to stores, to browse and order a wide variety of goods from the comfort of their homes. This method allowed retailers to reach a larger audience and provided customers the opportunity to purchase items they may not have had access to locally.