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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.


category killer British  

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of category killer

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Once lauded as a category killer in home furnishings, the retailer has watched as annual sales tumbled to a little more than $5 billion, down from more than $12 billion for the fiscal year ending in early 2019.

From Seattle Times

The chain, once considered a category killer in home goods like dinnerware and small appliances, has lined up liquidators who are readying store closing sales that could be launched as soon as this weekend, two of the people said.

From Reuters

Once considered a so-called "category killer" in home and bath goods, the big box retailer's fortunes have dragged after attempts to sell more store-branded products flopped and led to the reshuffle of its management team.

From Reuters

Shares of the company, once considered a so-called "category killer" in home and bath goods, were down about 5% in premarket trading after the company filed to offer $150 million of common stock.

From Reuters

Once known to be a "category killer" in home goods, Bed Bath's stock and fortunes have slumped after its move to sell more store-branded products flopped and led to a reshuffle of its management team earlier this year.

From Reuters