One of the big change is the quality of the vacuum that we  grew up with. A lot of the quality brands that were owned and made here in the USA  are now owned and made in china and other Asian countries.  Companies like Hoover, Dirt devil, Royal are now owned by a large Chinese Company TTI .  ITS not that China can make quality products its the Chanel they the manufacturer’s use to sell their product The trend has been leaning toward a throw away society  nurtured by by the big discount box stores competing  for the lowest prices and as the price get lower ever year so goes the quality of vacuum that you will find at  those  big box store. So when looking at vacuums and you spot that brand that mother or maybe your grand mother  might of owned its probably the same in name only ..

Another Trend that I see these day is in the change of the Quality of the local Vacuum Shop and their  Owners,  I remember in my early days in the vacuum industry that  alot of  Vacuum shops were consider vacuum repair shops and were a little dirty where today most Vacuum retail stores are clean and and sell quality vacuum  but where you still get your old vacuum fixed.  Todays most  quality made  Vacuum manufacturer’s will not sell their vacuum though discount big box stores,  and can only be found though thier  dealer network of small Independent vacuuum shops