Global Industry Overview: Retail Department Stores, Variety Stores and General Merchandise Stores
Department stores carry a diverse line of nonfood merchandise, including general wearing apparel (suits, coats, and dresses), home furnishings (furniture, floor coverings, curtains, draperies, linens, and major household appliances), and housewares (table and kitchen appliances, dishes, and utensils). Many department stores offer their own credit lines and various supplemental services as well. Variety stores carry a diverse line of goods in the low-price range. General merchandise stores carry goods similar to department stores, but normally have fewer than 50 employees. For discussion of food retailing, see Grocery...