Rural Americans relied mostly on shopping by mail order catalog, buying from the rural salesman or visiting the city in order to buy goods
Explanation:
Drawn by a horse wagon, rural people visited cities in order to buy goods or sometimes train travel also granted then the feasibility. After industrialization and due to the construction of railroads, American families were able to commute frequently through railroads for their daily purposes.
Before industrialization, American rural families were self-reliant and produced home made goods which they happened to sell in the markets and earn their livelihood but after automation factory made goods were sought and also earned greater profits. Americans tastes and preferences also changed which enabled them to be open to variety of choices while shopping.