DEPARTMENT STORE Usually large establishments, an anchor at a shopping mall Usually large establishments, an anchor at a shopping mall Most often chain stores Most often chain stores Merchandise is arranged in separate departments Merchandise is arranged in separate departments Sells a variety of merchandise under one roof Sells a variety of merchandise under one roof Great selection, quality varies Great selection, quality varies Many sales, lots of advertising, busy environment Many sales, lots of advertising, busy environment Sales associates are assigned to work in specific departments Sales associates are assigned to work in specific departments Each department has a manager Each department has a manager Cash registers/checkout stations in each department Cash registers/checkout stations in each department Offer a variety of customer services Offer a variety of customer services Usually self-service, sales associates sometimes less professional Usually self-service, sales associates sometimes less professional “Elevator” music, bright lights, lots of activity “Elevator” music, bright lights, lots of activity Employ many people, opportunities to advance or transfer Employ many people, opportunities to advance or transfer Hire more sales associates than any other type of store Hire more sales associates than any other type of store

What we can find in a Department Store Apparel & accessories for men, women and children Apparel & accessories for men, women and children Jewelry Jewelry Cosmetics Cosmetics Lingerie Lingerie Sporting goods Sporting goods Furniture Furniture Wedding attire Wedding attire Housewares & home decor Housewares & home decor Large and small appliances Large and small appliances Linens Linens Toys Toys Shoes for the family Shoes for the family Grocery items Grocery items Tools Tools

SPECIALTY STORE Specializes in one category and sells related items Specializes in one category and sells related items Wide variety of specialty items, not found elsewhere Wide variety of specialty items, not found elsewhere Usually better quality, more expensive Usually better quality, more expensive Smaller stores, sometimes a chain, usually locally owned Smaller stores, sometimes a chain, usually locally owned Sales associates give personal assistance, are more professional Sales associates give personal assistance, are more professional Usually one cash register and checkout station Usually one cash register and checkout station Customer services offered Customer services offered Store displays, music, employees, overall atmosphere matches that of the products it specializes in Store displays, music, employees, overall atmosphere matches that of the products it specializes in Relaxed atmosphere Relaxed atmosphere

What we can find in a Specialty Store (and related items) Shoes Shoes Pets Pets Cameras Cameras Sporting Goods Sporting Goods Health Food Health Food Jewelry Jewelry Bridal Bridal Coffee Coffee Framing Framing Camping Gear Camping Gear Computers Computers Toys Toys Garden supplies Garden supplies Kitchenware Kitchenware Fabric Fabric Makeup Makeup Books Books Candy Candy Baby items Baby items Clothing Clothing Music equipment Music equipment Home décor Home décor Auto parts Auto parts Furniture Furniture Personal care Personal care Craft supplies Craft supplies

Work Conditions Department Store Specialty Store Assigned to a specific department Assigned to a specific department Duties will be limited Duties will be limited Trained only for dept. assigned to Trained only for dept. assigned to Begin at minimum wage Begin at minimum wage Good chance to advance or transfer Good chance to advance or transfer Store is well known, experience looks good on resume Store is well known, experience looks good on resume May not be able to provide customer service May not be able to provide customer service Trained in all areas of store Trained in all areas of store Able to perform many duties Able to perform many duties Begin at minimum wage Begin at minimum wage Become knowledgeable of specific products Become knowledgeable of specific products Less chance to advance Less chance to advance Smaller store, relaxed atmosphere Smaller store, relaxed atmosphere Fewer employees Fewer employees Able to give personalized service Able to give personalized service Sell products you are interested in Sell products you are interested in

Department vs Specialty Stores ~images for question #1~