This paper-and-adhesive-gum-based frequent-shopper program was founded in 1938 and, like its major competitors S&H Green Stamps and (A&P) Plaid Stamps, hit the heights of its popularity in the 1960s.
Today trading stamps "have all but disappeared from the American retail scene," supplanted for the most part by electronically managed customer-loyalty programs. Like me, you may carry one or more cards in your wallet that serve this purpose; of course, these cards also share much more personal information with the loyalty-program provider than stamps ever did.
Some years ago, Carlson — the successor company to Gold Bond, and better known as the operator of Radisson hotels and T.G.I. Friday's restaurants — introduced its own electronic program, Gold Points Plus. Reportedly, however, its trading stamps are still issued at a few locations, including one grocer in Minneapolis, the company's original home.
Surviving sign for Gold Bond Stamps
Grove St. near Broadway, Bushwick, Brooklyn
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