category killer

American  

[kat-i-gawr-ee kil-er] / ˈkæt ɪ gɔr i ˌkɪl ər /

noun

1. a store, company, product, etc., that dominates a merchandise or service category and has almost no competition.

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category killer British  

noun

1. a person, product, or business that dominates a particular market

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Etymology

Origin of category killer

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

category killer

The big-box home goods store has gone through several months of significant upheaval as the chain, once considered a category killer, begins closing stores, cutting jobs and overhauling its merchandising strategy.

From Reuters ● Sep. 14, 2022

The big-box chain - once considered a so-called "category killer" in home and bath goods - has seen its fortunes falter after an attempt to sell more of its own brand, or private label, goods.

From Reuters ● Sep. 4, 2022

Still, this bet supposes that Uber is a category killer and that only the biggest, fastest growing company will survive.

From New York Times ● Dec. 16, 2014

Initially derided as the brunt of jokes, the forecast focused channel became profitable within four years and soon had established itself as a media category killer.

From Time Magazine Archive

But Best Buy's competition is far broader than Circuit City, from direct sellers like Amazon and Dell to the quintessential category killer, Wal-Mart, which analysts estimate sold $17 billion in electronics in 2004.

From Time Magazine Archive