Discount Department Stores

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry operate physical retail establishments that sell a wide variety of merchandise, including apparel, household furnishings, and personal care products. Major companies include Kmart, Target, and Walmart (all based in the US), as well as Auchan Retail and Carrefour (both based in France), Daiso Japan (Japan), Lojas Americanas (Brazil), and METRO AG (Germany).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Population growth and consumer spending drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient supply chain management, effective merchandising, and competitive pricing. Large companies enjoy advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for 100% of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products sold include women's clothing (about 30%), men's clothing (about 20%), cosmetics and fragrances (about 11%), footwear and footwear accessories (10%), children's wear (about 10%), and other products (about 19%). Apparel includes women's, men's, and children's. Personal care includes cosmetics and health and beauty products. Other products may include kitchenware and home furnishings and decor; video and audio equipment (TVs, DVD players, stereo systems); seasonal offerings; pet supplies; and sporting goods. Discount department stores may have in-store pharmacies, photo processing services, or restaurants.