And while stars such as Duran Duran, Prince and Madonna were shooting up the charts, all this was happening in Sunderland.
We had Binns for bargains, Rediffusion for televisions, Pyrex for plates and Crowtree to get yourself in shape.
See how many of these 1980 and 1981 scenes you remember.
In case you missed it;
13. A busy day at Binns
Bargain hunters in the china department at Binns in December 1981. | se Photo: Sunderland Echo
14. Picking a festive tune
The Police Christmas disco in Sunderland in December 1981. | se Photo: Sunderland Echo
15. Retro at Rediffusion
A selection of video equipment was available at one of Rediffusion Ltd, branches, in Fawcett Street in 1981. Was that a Christmas treat you would have loved? | se Photo: Sunderland Echo
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