Department stores sell a variety of goods organized by department, with extensive product lines and customer service counters. They can be discount or supercenters, and have lenient return policies. The first department store was founded in the UK in 1838.
A department store is a retail store, usually part of a chain of stores selling a variety of goods organized by department. Product lines are extensive and typically include multiple brands to appeal to a wide variety of consumer choices, with customer service counters scattered throughout the store. Department stores can be further delineated into discount department stores, which often carry groceries in addition to their other product lines and are differentiated by a bank of checkout counters located at the front of the store. Supercenters define a large group of department stores that carry groceries in bulk at discounts and require an annual membership fee.
The convenient department store has been a popular model around the world for over 100 years. We can thank the UK for the world’s first department store, Bainbridge, founded in Newcastle in 1838 by Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge and William Alder Dunn. John Lewis bought Bainbridge in 1952, renaming it John Lewis Newcastle in 2002, although many locals continue to refer to it by its historic name. Lewis retains the original records from 1849, being the earliest recorded records of department store sales.
The sheer convenience of a department store is what makes it so appealing. One can purchase any number of items needed in one place, saving time and money. Many department stores are multilevel, but even single-story establishments often include a food or snack counter or court where customers can sit down for a quick bite between shopping. Services could also be offered in addition to products, such as a photography studio for taking family portraits, an eye care center where you can purchase prescription lenses and frames, or even a hearing aid center that can check for loss. hearing aids and offer hearing aids. Some department stores also have an auto center that installs tires and rims sold by the plant.
In the United States, two popular department store chains include Sears and Macys, while Target and Walmart are just two examples of discount department stores. Sams Club and Costco fall into the Supercenter category, requiring an annual membership fee. Some Supercenters limit the type of payment accepted by cash and specific types of credit cards, such as American Express or a card signed by the Supercenter itself.
Another positive attribute of department stores is that they typically have lenient return policies of 30 days or more on most types of merchandise, although items such as perishables, computer media, games, software, and electronics typically fall within different guidelines. A department store is also a great place to purchase a gift card, which is a plastic card that resembles a credit card with a predetermined purchase limit. The recipient can spend the money as they please, all at once or in increments, with no expiration date on the balance. This can be the perfect gift for teenagers or those people on your gift list who find it difficult to buy. Gift cards come in colorful themes to appeal to people of all ages and walks of life.
So whether it’s a bracelet you want, a new watch, car mats, a bed pillow, cookware, a bike, a floor lamp, shampoo, a blender, makeup, or new shoes, your local department store awaits. All you need to bring is your purse or wallet and comfortable walking shoes.
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