Department Store

A department store is a retail establishment offering a wide range of consumer goods in different product categories known as “departments”. In modern major cities, the department store made a dramatic appearance in the middle of the 19th century, and permanently reshaped shopping habits, and the definition of service and luxury.

Department stores today have sections that sell the following: clothing, furniture, home appliances, toys, cosmetics, houseware, gardening, toiletries, sporting goods, do it yourself, paint, and hardware and additionally select other lines of products such as food, books, jewelry, electronics, stationery, photographic equipment, baby products, and products for pets.

Customers check out near the front of the store or, alternatively, at sales counters within each department. Some are part of a retail chain of many stores, while others may be independent retailers. In the 1970s, they came under heavy pressure from discounters.

    
 
 
  
 
 
  

In the City

1. (Approximately) how many department stores are there in your city? What are the names of these department stores?

2. Are these department stores domestic companies, international retail companies or both?

3. Which is the biggest department store? Which is the cheapest? Which is the most popular or prestigious?

4. Approximately when did department stores become popular in your town or city?

5. You can find and buy everything (except a car, house or boat) in a department store. True or false?

6. Are department store goods cheaper, the same price or more expensive than other retail outlets (stores)?

7. Do department stores change their layout and decorations, or do they stay the same?

Personal and Social

8. I love shopping in department stores. Yes or no?

9. Do you do all, most, some, few or none of your shopping in department stores?

10. What is your favorite department store?

11. Who do you see in department stores? Is it mostly children, teens, young adults, families, middle-aged, old people or all of the above?

12. Who shops in department stores, poor, working class, middle-class, upper-middle class, rich people or everyone?

13. I know some people who work in department stores. Is this right or wrong? Would you like to work in a department store?

14. Regarding department stores, what will happen in the future?