If I could travel back in time to the United States in 1918, shopping would be done in a few different ways and with a few different restrictions.
First of all, I could choose to shop at local stores. Stores at that time were usually small, family-run or independently owned stores that sold a variety of goods, including food, clothing, and household items. I could purchase the items I needed at these stores.
Unlike modern times, however, shopping back then relied more on physical stores. As a result, I would need to shop in person at the store rather than remotely over the Internet or by phone. I may need to spend more time and effort to find the items I need.
In addition, the selection of goods at that time may have been relatively limited. Compared to modern times, production and supply chain systems were not as developed as they are today, so there may have been fewer types and quantities of goods available. I may need to accept some alternatives or compromises because I may not be able to find the specific brand or model I want.
Also, shopping at that time may have relied more on cash transactions. Modern payment methods such as credit cards and electronic payments were not yet popular, so I might need to carry enough cash to pay for my purchases.
Overall, if I could travel to the United States in 1918, shopping would be more reliant on brick-and-mortar stores, with potentially fewer choices of products, and payment methods would likely be more reliant on cash transactions.