There's corner ones, high street ones and the ones in huge centres,.
We are talking about shops but have you ever wondered how much the street they are on has changed over the years?
Wonder no more. We have seven views of streets on Wearside - but as they looked decades ago and more recently, courtesy of Google Maps.
Get your coat on for an Echo retro trip to Thorney Close, Holmeside, and over to Silver Street in Durham.
5. Silver Street, Durham
Silver Street in Durham in an undated photo, and on Google Maps in 2018. | se
6. Mackies Corner
Mackies Corner in two views - one from the Echo archives in 1973 and the other in 2023 courtesy of Google Maps. | se/Google Maps
7. Thorndale Road
Thorndale Road in November 1960, and again in August 2023 courtesy of Google Maps. | se
8. Ryhope Street
Changes in Ryhope Street as we look at views from 1984 and August 2023. | se/Google Maps