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This is a list of department stores. In the case of department store groups the location of the flagship store is given. This list does not include large specialist stores, which sometimes resemble department stores.

Australia

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Current

Historic

  • Andrew's
  • Biway - Discount store based in Ontario, defunct 2001
  • Bretton's - high end department store 1985-1996
  • Consumers Distributing - catalogue store 1957-1996
  • Creed's- founded 1916, defunct 1991, high-end family-owned retailer
  • Corvette
  • Dupuis Freres - Quebec-based chain, symbol of French-Canadian commerce & pride
  • Eaton's - defunct 1999, acquired by Sears Canada
  • Horizon - discount department store operated by Eaton's, 1967-1978
  • Freimans - longtime Ottawa retailer, acquired by The Bay in 1972
  • Fortin - in downtown Trois-Rivières, Quebec; bought by Dupuis Frères.
  • Kmart Canada - discount department store, usually in the suburbs, created by S.S. Kresge - sold Canadian stores to Hudson's Bay Company in 1997
  • Letendre - on Saint Catherine Street East, Montreal; bought by CDS, then Eaton. The store closed after Eaton's expansion in the west. The building remains at the corner of Montcalm (NE).
  • Marks and Spencer - closed Canadian stores in 1999
  • Miracle Mart - discount department store operated by Steinberg's, defunct 1996
  • Morgan's - merged with Hudson's Bay Company
  • Murphy-Gamble - Ottawa store, acquired by Simpson's
  • Ogilvy's (Charles Ogilvy Limited) - Ottawa-area chain, merged with Robinson's in 1980s, defunct 1990s
  • Paquet-Syndicat - a merger of la Compagnie Paquet and Le Syndicat de Québec in 1974, shut its 6 stores in Quebec City area
  • Plazamart - on St-Hubert Street in Montréal
  • Pollack in Quebec City area and Trois-Rivières - bankrupted in 1978
  • Robinson's - Southern Ontario chain, merged with Charles Ogilvy Limited in 1980s, acquired by Hudson's Bay Company in 1990s)
  • Sayvette - discount department store, defunct 1970s
  • Shop-Rite - catalogue store operated by Hudson's Bay Company in 1970s-1992
  • Simpson's - merged with the Hudson's Bay Company
  • Simpsons-Sears Limited
  • S.S. Kresge - smaller, downtown locations
  • Spencer's - Western Canada, bought by Eaton's
  • Towers Department Stores/BoniMart - sold out to Zellers in 1990
  • Woodward's - Western Canada, defunct 1993
  • Woolco - discount department store, usually in the suburbs, acquired by Wal-Mart in 1994
  • Woolworth - closed Canadian stores in 1992, though some became Woolco (such as the Whitehorse outlet).
  • Young Canada - toys and children's clothes; around since at least the early 1960s

Colombia

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

  • Ahrens - a department store in Marburg (http://www.kaufhaus-ahrens.de)
  • Alsterhaus - a department store in Hamburg, belonging to the Karstadt group (http://www.alsterhaus.de)
  • C&A - not a department store, sells only cloths
  • Carschhaus - a department store in Dusseldorf belonging to the Kaufhof group (http://www.carschhaus.de)
  • Galeries Lafayette Berlin - Berlin branch of the French department store (http://www.lafayette.de)
  • Hertie (merged with Karstadt, one top range store left in Munich, all other stores were re-named into "Karstadt" or have been closed)
  • Horten (merged with Kaufhof) - all stores were re-named into "Kaufhof" or "Galeria Kaufhof" or have been closed
  • KaDeWe - the largest department store on the European continent, located in Berlin (http://www.kadewe.de)
  • Karstadt - the leading German department store group (http://www.karstadt.de)
  • Kaufhof / Galeria Kaufhof (http://www.kaufhof.de)
  • Müller - not really a department store, more a large chemists that sells several additional goods such as housewares, multi-media, toys
  • Wertheim - Karstadt runs two department stores in Berlin under this traditional name (http://www.wertheim-berlin.de)
  • Woolworth - German branch of the Woolworth group, meanwhile independent from the international Woolworth group, owned now by some German managers (http://www.woolworth.de)

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Ireland

India

Japan

Current

Defunct

Malaysia

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Defunct

Philippines

Poland

Puerto Rico

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Thailand

United Kingdom

Current

Historical

Former department store groups

Stores which were not amalgamated into any of the businesses listed above but have now ceased trading

United States of America

  • Ann & Hope, a now defunct retailer that pioneered the modern discount department store.

  • Belk America's largest privately held department store
    • McRae's (defunct) Southeast; stores purchased by Belk in July 2005, with conversion to Belk nameplate on March 8, 2006
    • Proffitt's (defunct) Southeast; stores purchased by Belk in July 2005, with conversion to Belk nameplate on March 8, 2006

  • Big Lots, national. Former names were Pic-N-Save in the West and McFrugal's on the East Coast and ODD LOTS in the Midwest.

  • Bon-Ton, Northeast; also owns/operates:
    • Bergner's (Illinois); purchased from Saks in 2006.
    • Boston Store (Wisconsin); purchased from Saks in 2006.
    • Carson Pirie Scott (Illinois, Indiana); purchased from Saks in 2006.
    • Elder-Beerman, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
      • Stone & Thomas (defunct) (Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia & West Virginia), 21 unit regional department store chain purchased by Elder-Beerman in July 1998 with 5 of the locations being sold to Peebles later that year
    • Herberger's (Midwest and Upper Great Plains); purchased from Saks in 2006.
    • Younkers (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin); purchased from Saks in 2006.
      • Brandeis (defunct, Nebraska and Iowa), acquired by Younkers in 1987
      • H.C. Prange Co. (defunct, Wisconsin and Michigan), acquired by Younkers in 1992

  • Boscov's, Mid Atlantic states. Family owned. Boscov's is purchasing a number of locations being spun off by Federated Department Stores as Federated consolidates and rebrands the stores it acquired in the merger with May Department Stores.

  • Federated Department Stores. Purchased May Department Stores in 2005, converting most of May's nameplates to Macy's in 2006. Expected to sell off the Lord & Taylor nameplate in 2006.
    • Bloomingdale's High-end department store, owned by Federated Department Stores, caters to wealthy and super-wealthy.
    • Lord & Taylor national department store catering to affluent although it focuses on American designers
    • Macy's - probably the strongest nationwide middle class department store brand. In recent years this store was acquired by Federated Department Stores, caters mostly to middle and upper middle class, as well as some of the upper class. Rumors though say Bloomingdales will become even more high end and Macy's will become a lower end store, closer to the J.C. Penney level.
      • Abraham & Straus, on level with Macy's and Stern's. Converted to Macy's.
      • Bamberger's (defunct, merged into Macy's)
      • Bon Marché became Bon-Macy's in 2004, dropped "Bon" prefix in 2005.
      • Bullocks Department Stores, owners of the famous Bullocks Wilshire in Los Angeles. Purchased by Macy's in the early 90's and continued to operate as Bullock's for a few years until the name was changed to Macy's.
      • Burdines (Florida), became Burdines-Macy's in 2004 with the Burdine's name dropped in 2005.
      • Davison's (Atlanta, Georgia) (formerly Davison-Paxon-Stokes of Atlanta; renamed Macy's in the mid 1980's with most of the original stores closing in 2003 with the Rich's-Macy's consolidation)
      • Famous-Barr (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Filene's (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Foley's (Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Goldsmith's (Memphis, Tennessee), became Goldsmith's-Macy's in 2004 with the Goldsmith's name dropped in 2005
      • Hecht's (Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia) was a May nameplate. The Hecht's and Strawbridge's nameplates become Macy's in 2006.
        • Castner Knott (Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee), chain originally purchased by Dillard's, with the stores sold to Proffitt's, then to Hecht's, with name to be changed to Macy's in 2006
        • Strawbridge's (Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) operated under the Hecht's division while owned by May
        • Wanamaker's original flagship store in Philadelphia: chain bought by May Department Stores in 1995, became Hecht's then later converted to Strawbridge's.
        • Woodward & Lothrop (Washington, DC). Stores were acquired by The Hecht Company and rebranded.
      • The Jones Store (Kansas, Missouri) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Kaufmann's (New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • L.S. Ayres (Indiana) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Lazarus (Columbus, Ohio), became Lazarus-Macy's in 2004 with the Lazarus name dropped in 2005
        • Shillito's (Cincinnati, Ohio)defunct, merged into Lazarus, now Macy's
        • Rike-Kumler (Rike's) (Dayton, Ohio) defunct, merged into Lazarus, now Macy's
      • Liberty House (Hawaii and Guam) defunct, merged into Macy's
      • Marshall Field's (Chicago, upper Midwest, previously owned by Target; first store with a bridal registry became a May nameplate in July 2004, becoming Macy's in 2006.
        • Dayton's, Minneapolis-St.Paul, merged with Hudson's in 1969 to become Dayton-Hudson
        • Hudson's, Detroit (Dayton Hudson became Target Corporation, Dayton's and Hudson's name changed to Marshall Field's in 2001)
        • Donaldson's (defunct) (Minneapolis) acquired by Carson Pirie Scott in 1987. In 1995, Dayton-Hudson acquired the stores from Carson's and most locations were converted to Mervyn's. Upon May's 2004 acquisition of Marshall Field's, May promptly closed the Mervyn's (former Donaldsons/Powers) locations. (Minneapolis)
        • Frederick & Nelson (defunct) (Seattle) (Later sold off to BATUS)
          • Lipmans (defunct) (Portland, Oregon) (Acquired from Dayton Hudson in 1980)
      • Meier & Frank (Oregon, Utah, Washington) was a May nameplate, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Rich's (Atlanta, Georgia), became Rich's-Macy's in 2003 and with the Rich's name dropped in 2005
      • Robinsons-May (Arizona, California, Nevada) was a May nameplate, formerly May Company and J.W. Robinsons until 1993, becoming Macy's in 2006.
      • Stern's (New Jersey and New York) (now defunct, most locations became Macy's)

  • Gottschalks Fresno middle class retailer; primarily in California *
    • Harris Department Stores (Southern California) Nine stores acquired from El Cortes Ingles, S.A. in 1998. The original Harris Company store in downtown San Bernardino closed in January 1999. The eight remaining stores continue operating today. All southern California stores, including Harris and Gottschalks were renamed Harris-Gottschalks.
    • Lamont's (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska) 37 locations acquired through Bankruptcy Court in 2000. Since the acquisition, Gottschalks has divested several non-perfroming locations.

  • JC Penney national department store that caters to the middle class.

  • Kohl's originally Midwest, but now national department store that caters to the lower and middle class

  • Meijer, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky

  • Mervyn's, a California-based chain specializing in clothing; caters to middle class. Was recently sold by Target, and is now independent again, with some stores having been acquired by May Department Stores. Stores mainly located in Western and Southwestern states.

  • Sears Holdings The 2005 merger of Sears (formerly Sears, Roebuck and Company), and Kmart (formerly S.S. Kresge Co.) created the nation's third-largest retailer. The combined company operates stores under the Sears, Sears Grand, Sears Essentials, Kmart, Big Kmart, and Super Kmart names. Headquartered in Hoffman Estates, IL.
    • Originally of Chicago, Sears' first mail-order catalogs caused prices to drop all over the country, making them "the great price maker." Known better for electronics and appliances, clothing is lower end.
    • The S.S. Kresge Co. originated in Detroit in 1890, eventually becoming a major chain of five-and-dime variety stores. Entered discount store retailing with the opening of the first Kmart in 1962. Company name changed to Kmart Corp. in 1977. Known for its various private label apparel and houseware brands such as the Martha Stewart and Joe Boxer brands.

  • Shirokiya, originally founded in Japan in 1662, the company was purchased by Japanese retailer Tokyu Department Stores in 1958. In 2001, the last remaining Shirokiya (in Honolulu) was sold to an American holding company. Caters across the board, though primary customers are tourists.

  • ShopKo, regional, West/Midwest
    • Pamida, Midwest/Intermountain West/Great Plains states, focuses on smaller towns

  • Stage Stores, Inc.
    • Bealls (Texas and New Mexico)
    • Palais Royal (Houston area)
    • Peebles (Mid-Atlantic and Midwest)
      • IRA A Watson: (defunct) (South and Mid-Atlantic states), 25 unit regional deptartment store chain known as Watson's was purchased by Peebles in June 1998
      • Stone & Thomas: (defunct) (Virginia & West Virginia), 5 stores purchased by Peebles from Elder-Beerman in late 1998
      • B.C. Moore & Sons: (Southeast) a small privitely owned regional rural based department store chain purchased by Peebles in 2006, the chain will be converted to the Peebles name.
    • Stage (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri)

  • Target (national), renowned as the "hip" mass-market discounter

  • TJ Maxx and the TJX Companies, national off-price chain which also operates Marshalls and A.J. Wright

  • Wal-Mart, US-based international discount store catering primarily to lower and middle classes. Now also operates Supercenters which are combined discount stores and supermarkets. Also operates Neighborhood Markets which are smaller stores catering to localized markets.
    • Sam's Club, membership-based warehouse club, usually located adjacent to or a short drive from Wal-Mart locations.

Defunct U.S. chains liquidated or not acquired by extant chains

  • Alexander's (New York metropolitan area). Declared bankruptcy in 1992.
  • Ames Department Stores.
  • B. Altman and Company (New York City).
  • L.L. Berger (Buffalo). Catered to upper middle class customers. Its last store, in downtown Buffalo, closed in 1991.
  • Best & Company (New York). A department store exclusively for children of the well-to-do. Once one of the cluster of grand New York department stores on 5th Avenue, closed in the 1960s.
  • Britt's Department Stores.
  • The Broadway (Southern California). Headquartered in Los Angeles. Part of defunct Carter Hawley Hale Stores. Retailer for many decades; finally closed for good in 1991.
  • Bradlees.
  • Bonwit Teller (New York City, Boston, and Upstate New York). High-end clothier that was primarily a women's clothing store; however, in later years it had a small men's department. All but two stores, located in Buffalo and Boston closed the early 1990s, soon after being purchased by the Australian company L.J. Hooker Company. Hooker then sold the chain to Syracuse-based Pyramid Companies, which then opened a store in their Carousel Center. Pyramid had originally planned to expand the chain, but never did so. The Syracuse store was the last to close, doing so in 2000.
  • Caldor. Later acquired by May; closed 1999.
  • The Crescent (Spokane, Washington). liquidated 1992.
  • Fedco (Southern California). Membership-based department store—including grocery, and in some locations, furniture—that served middle class. Went bankrupt. Circa 1950-1994.
  • Fedmart (Southern California) First mass-market discount retail/grocery chain Sol Price founded. Was headquartered in San Diego in the 92111 ZIP Code. Price sold the chain to Hugo Mann, a German retail entrepreneur in 1975. His subsequent attempt to turn the chain into hypermarkets was a leading reason for its closure in 1983. Price later founded Price Club based upon what he learned from his Fedmart days. Price Club has since been merged into Costco. Circa 1965-75.
  • Garfinkel's (Washington, D.C.)
  • Gemco (California) Membership department store with grocery. Operated as subsidiary of Lucky Stores until liquidated in early 1987 due to hostile takeover attempts. Lucky was later acquired into what is now called Albertsons. Operated circa 1968-1987.
  • Godchaux's (New Orleans). Closed mid-1980s.
  • Halle Brothers (Cleveland). Closed mid-1990s.
  • Hens and Kelly (Buffalo). Department store chain catering to blue-collar and middle class families.
  • Hills Department Store.
  • Hochschild Kohn's (Baltimore).
  • Hutzler's (Baltimore).
  • J.B. Ivey & Co. (Charlotte, North Carolina)
  • Jenss (Buffalo). Independent high-end department store chain closed their last location on 15 September 2000.
  • E.J. Korvette (New York City). Closed 1980.
  • Krauss (New Orleans, downtown). Single location on Canal Street at Basin closed in 1997.
  • S. H. Kress & Co.. Puerto Rico subsidiary Tiendas Kress lives on, having survived parent company.
  • McCrory (national).
  • Montgomery Ward. First mail order store.
  • Ohrbach's. Liquidated in 1987 and acquired by Howland-Steinbach.
  • Rink's (Ohio).
  • Rich's Department Stores (Salem, MA).
  • Sakowitz (Houston).
  • Sattler's (Buffalo).
  • Stewart's (Baltimore).
  • Treasury Stores Discount department store division of JC Penney, opened in 1962, also known as "The Treasury". Located mainly in the South and Western part of the U.S. Closed in 1981.
  • Weinstock's Division of the Broadway chain.
  • Woolworth (national). Classic dime store. Foot Locker the last vestige of former F.W. Woolworth Co. Defunct subsidiaries - Woolco, Kinney Shoes.
  • W. T. Grant (national). Stores called Grant's or (the larger stores) Grant City.
  • Zayre, discount chain based in the Northeast.
  • Zody's (national) Catered to lower class.

See also

Lists of companies by industry | Department stores | Distribution, retailing, and wholesaling | Lists of structures

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "List of department stores".

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