Store Types Department Store Offers lines of merchandise in three categories: furniture, home furnishings, and general apparel. Carries high quality merchandise with sales people to help you. Has higher costs. For example: Dillard's, JC Penney, Kohl’s Specialty Store Handles a limited variety of goods but with an extensive assortment within each variety. Doesn’t have as many choices. For example: Brats, Claire’s, Journeys Boutiques Are a type of specialty store. They are small shops that carry unusual, often “artsy” merchandise They go out of business if not properly established. For example: usually locally owned stores…vary in name. Discount Stores Are departmentalized retail stores which use many self-serve techniques. They offer lower prices. They are like large box stores and carry seconds. For example: Ross, TJ Max, Marshalls Chain Stores Are a group of stores that are owned, managed, and controlled by a central office. They offer lower prices than department stores. Everyone may be wearing the same thing as you. For example: American Eagle, Old Navy, Aeropostle, Pac Sun Factory Outlet Stores Can be similar to manufacturer-owned stores. Outlets appeal to buyers looking for a good buy. They carry overruns and seconds. The customer has to travel farther; the latest styles are not always available. For example: Nike Outlet, Carter’s Outlet, Gap Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet Electronic Shopping Shopping over the Internet. The customer can stay in the comfort of his/her own home. Special closeout pricing is available. The customer can not try on items and must pay shipping. For example: JC Penney, Old Navy, Gap, E-bay Telephone/Mail Order A company that offers a variety of merchandise by catalog. Orders are placed over the phone. The customer can’t try on items before purchasing, must pay for shipping; colors and designs may be different after they are received. For example: Chadwicks, Delias, JC Penney, Spiegel When to Shop? End-of-season sale Annual holiday sales Markdowns Special purchases – store has bought items at a low price and pass savings on to consumers. Size Ranges Female sizes Male sizes Special sizes-women’s, slim, husky, tall, etc. ***Since sizes are not necessarily the same for all manufacturers, it is always a good idea to try on a garment before buying.*** Checking for fit Collar or neckline Waistband or waistline Pants legs Chest and back Hemline Shoulders Sleeves Hip area Checking fabric and construction Seams Trims Care information Wearing qualities Fastenings Hem Cost per wearing The more times you wear value you will get from it. Pants $24.99 (purchase price) +16.00 (cleaning cost) $40.99 (total cost) / 15 (# of wearings) $ 2.73 cost per wearing a garment, the more Pants $25.00 (purchase price) + 2.00 (laundering cost) $27.00 (total cost) / 64 (# of wearings) $ 0.42 cost per wearing