Shopping is a microcosm of society and in Gravesham the national pattern has been followed with the closure of independent shops and their replacement with chain stores.

In 1953 one store began introducing self service - Vye's grocers in Windmill Street, and this concept rapidly progressed over the next two decades.

Until the 1970s Gravesend's shopping was still full of local businesses such as Notton's outfitters near the clock tower in Berkley Crescent, Rainbows electrical store in Windmill Street or A.E.Taylor's wonderful smelling delicatessen in Windmill Street or Simes' Seeds in New Road. There were many independent butchers in most streets and from the 1950s the John Lane butcher empire, based in West Street, grew to have many shops in Gravesend as well as other places such as Dartford, Swanscombe, Maidstone and London. Gravesend based bakers included Shades, Smiths the bakers, Brands and Philpotts - all names swept away in recent years.

The mass availability of the car has caused the growth of supermarkets which has decreased the range of shops specialising in one area of expertise, although there are still local businesses which fulfil this role such as Moons the clock repairers and A.J.Hill for electrical good, both in Stone Street and Packhams (hardware) and Baldwins (furniture and post office) both in Perry Street, Northfleet.