Department store facts for kids

A department store is a big shop that sells many different kinds of things. Unlike smaller stores that might only sell one type of product, a department store has a huge variety! You can often find clothes, furniture, electronics, and even toys all under one roof.

These stores are usually large buildings with many floors. Each floor or section is often dedicated to a different type of product. This makes it easy for shoppers to find everything they need in one place.

Some department stores are known for selling fancy or expensive items. These are sometimes called "upmarket" stores. Other department stores focus on selling products at lower prices. These are known as discount department stores. They offer good deals on many of the same items you'd find elsewhere.

What Can You Buy?

Department stores are like a collection of many smaller shops. They offer a wide range of products for different needs.

Fashion and Accessories

You can find all sorts of clothing for kids, teens, and adults. This includes everyday wear, special occasion outfits, and even school uniforms. They also sell shoes, bags, hats, and jewelry to complete any look.

Home Goods

Looking to decorate your room or help your family furnish the house? Department stores have sections for furniture like beds, sofas, and tables. You can also find kitchenware, bedding, towels, and home decorations.

Electronics and Gadgets

Many department stores have areas for electronics. Here, you might find televisions, computers, headphones, and other cool gadgets. They often have a selection of video games and accessories too.

Toys and Games

For younger shoppers, the toy section is always a highlight! Department stores usually have a big selection of toys, board games, puzzles, and craft supplies. It's a great place to find gifts for birthdays or holidays.

Beauty and Personal Care

You can also buy things for personal care. This includes makeup, perfumes, skincare products, and toiletries like shampoo and soap. There are often special counters where you can try out different products.

History of Department Stores

Department stores have been around for a long time. They became popular in the 1800s, especially in big cities.

Early Stores

One of the first famous department stores was Le Bon Marché in Paris, France. It opened in the mid-1800s and changed how people shopped. Instead of small, specialized shops, people could now find many things in one large, grand building.

Shopping Experience

These early stores were often very fancy. They had beautiful decorations, large windows, and even restaurants inside. Shopping became an exciting experience, not just a way to buy things. They also offered new services like fixed prices (so you didn't have to bargain) and returns.

Growth Around the World

Department stores quickly spread to other countries. Famous ones like Marshall Field's in the United States and Selfridges in the United Kingdom became popular. In places like Japan, stores such as Mitsukoshi also grew into major shopping destinations. They often became landmarks in their cities.

How Department Stores Work

Department stores are organized to make shopping easy. They have different departments, each focusing on a specific type of product.

Customer Service

Many department stores focus on good customer service. They have staff ready to help you find items, answer questions, and even offer advice. Some stores also have personal shoppers who can help you choose clothes or gifts.

Special Events

To attract shoppers, department stores often host special events. This might include fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, or holiday displays. During Christmas, many stores have amazing window displays and visits from Santa Claus.

Online Shopping

Today, many department stores also have online shops. This means you can buy their products from home using a computer or phone. However, visiting a physical department store is still a popular activity for many families. It offers a unique experience that online shopping can't always match.

Images for kids

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  Interior of Le Bon Marché in Paris

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  Sokos department store building in Multimäki, Kuopio, Finland

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  Au Bon Marché

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  Marshall Field's State Street store "great hall" interior around 1910

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  Aerial view of Anthony Hordern & Sons in Sydney, Australia (1936), once the largest department store in the world.

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  Selfridges, Oxford Street in London, 1944

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  Utagawa Hiroshige designed an ukiyo-e print with Mount Fuji and Echigoya as landmarks. Echigoya is the former name of Mitsukoshi named after the former province of Echigo. The Mitsukoshi headquarters are located on the left side of the street.

See also

In Spanish: Grandes almacenes para niños