Stores Like Target and Walmart- What Do You Call Them?

So What Do You Call Stores Like Target and Walmart?

You're standing in the checkout line, and someone asks, "What kind of store is this?" You say Target. But what if someone asks what category of store it is? That's where most people get stuck.

The honest answer: there isn't one perfect term. These stores go by a few names depending on who you're talking to and what specific feature you're highlighting.

The Main Terms People Actually Use

Big-Box Store

This is the most common industry term for stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco. These retailers occupy massive rectangular buildings—hence "big box."

You'll hear this term from retail workers, business journalists, and real estate developers. It's not glamorous, but it's accurate.

Department Store

Target technically qualifies as a department store because it sells multiple product categories under one roof (electronics, clothing, groceries, home goods). Walmart fits here too.

The problem? "Department store" makes people think of Macy's or Nordstrom—upscale retail chains. Target and Walmart are discount department stores, which is a different animal entirely.

Discount Retailer

This emphasizes the price angle. These stores compete on low prices rather than premium selection or customer experience. Walmart built its entire empire on this positioning.

Target plays the middle ground—slightly higher prices than Walmart, but with better store aesthetics and curated products.

Mass Retailer or Mass Merchant

Industry insiders use these terms. "Mass" refers to serving the mass market rather than a niche audience. These stores aim to sell everything to everyone.

You'll see this phrasing in financial reports and trade publications.

Hypermarket or Supercenter

Walmart Supercenters combine a grocery store with general merchandise—that's a hypermarket by definition. European retailers like Carrefour use this term more openly.

Target doesn't quite fit here since it lacks the full grocery component (though Target now sells groceries through Shipt and in-store).

Comparison: What These Terms Actually Mean

Why the Terminology Gets Muddy

These stores don't fit neatly into one box. Target started as a discount department store, then evolved into a lifestyle retailer. Walmart began as a discount store and expanded into groceries and online shopping.

The lines keep blurring. Amazon has physical stores now. Grocery chains carry household goods. Traditional retailers are scrambling to keep up.

When someone asks what to call these places, the context matters more than finding the "correct" term.

Getting Started: How to Describe These Stores

Here's what works in different situations:

• Casual conversation: "big-box store" or just "department store" will do
• Business context: "mass retailer" or "discount retailer" shows you know the industry
• Location-based: "supercenter" works for Walmart; "general merchandise retailer" covers most bases

If you're writing something and need a term, "big-box retailer" is your safest bet. It's widely understood, technically accurate, and doesn't carry the upscale baggage of "department store."

The Bottom Line

There is no single correct answer. Stores like Target and Walmart are called big-box stores, discount retailers, department stores, mass merchants, and hypermarkets—depending on who's talking and what aspect matters most.

For everyday use, "big-box store" works. For business discussions, "mass retailer" or "discount retailer" sounds more professional. Just don't expect one term to cover everything.