The essential characteristics of departmental stores are:
1. Large size:
A departmental store is a large scale retail organisation.
2. Central location:
A departmental store is locality in a main market. All the departments are organised under one roof in a large building.
3. Wide range of goods:
It provides a large variety of merchandise from ‘pin to plane’ at one place.
4. Specialisation:
A departmental store is divided into several departments, each specializing in one line of goods.
5. Attractive appearance:
A departmental store is housed in an impressive building which is fully furnished and well decorated.
6. Unified management:
All departments function independently. But they are under a centralised management and control. Purchases are centralised to obtain the advantages of large scale and expert buying.
7. Amenities and services:
A departmental store offers restaurant, post, office, bank and other facilities to customers to make shopping comfortable.
8. Extensive advertising:
In order to attract customers in large numbers, a departmental store makes extensive use of advertising.
9. Huge investment:
A departmental store requires huge investment of money.
