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'''Big-box store''' is a term of art in the retail trade that refers to a style of [[retail store]], and by extension to the company behind the store. Typical characteristics include the following:
'''Big-box store''' is a term of art in the retail trade that refers to a style of [[retail store]], and by extension to the company behind the store. Typical characteristics include the following:

Revision as of 18:27, 3 October 2006

Big-box store is a term of art in the retail trade that refers to a style of retail store, and by extension to the company behind the store. Typical characteristics include the following:

  • "Big-Box" is descriptive of the physical characteristics of the building. A big box store is a large, free-standing, rectangular, generally single-floor store built on a concrete slab. The flat roof and ceiling trusses are generally made of steel, the walls are concrete block clad in metal or masonry siding. The interior can be either relatively luxurious, or starkly utilitarian, depending on the market niche of the firm and how it wishes to communicate that market position to its customers.
  • Floor space several times greater than traditional retailers in the sector, in North America generally more than 50,000 square feet (4650 m²), sometimes approaching 200,000 square feet (18,600 m²), though varying by sector and market (in countries where space is at a premium, such as the UK, the relevant numbers are a fraction of that).
  • Expansive open air surface parking lots and general orientation to automobile-driving consumers, as opposed to pedestrians
  • Location in suburban or rural areas, often in proximity to freeways, as opposed to downtown shopping districts

This design provides space for a large amount of merchandise and serves as an enormous billboard to attract customers. It is particularly favored by volume discount retailers.

File:Walmartsupercenterpuertovallarta.jpg
Exterior of a Wal-Mart SuperCenter, an archetypical big box store, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Opponents criticize big boxes especially for being visually overbearing, wasteful of open space, and deleterious to community and small businesses. Proponents point to consumer benefits from greater convenience and lower cost of goods, and the ability of such stores to draw in tax-generating consumers from a wide area. In recent years, particularly in Canada, commercial developers have chosen to build big box stores (often grouped together in so-called "power centres") in lieu of traditional shopping malls [citation needed].

Generally, big-box stores can be broken down into two categories: general merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart and Target, and so-called category killers, such as Home Depot or Circuit City which specialise in goods within a specific range, such as hardware or electronics. In recent years, many traditional retailers such as Tesco and Praktiker have opened stores in the format in an effort to compete with big box chains, which are expanding internationally as their home markets reach maturity.

List of big-box chains

Companies known for operating big box stores include the following:

Multi-national

Australia

Canada

Hong Kong

File:DSCN0074.JPG
PARKnSHOP Superstore

India

Indonesia

Malaysia

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

United States

Vietnam

See also

External links

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