chain store

American  

noun

1. one of a group of retail stores under the same ownership and selling similar merchandise.

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chain store British  

noun

1. Also called: multiple store.  one of several retail enterprises under the same ownership and management

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chain store Cultural  

1. One of many retail stores owned by a single corporation and offering similar products. Examples include Sears and Safeway.

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Etymology

Origin of chain store

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Products at the new store should be less—or at least no more expensive—than at the chain stores, city officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal

On average, the stores have stocked only about 2,000 items, about 3 percent of what chain stores sell.

From New York Times

The diplomat added that back home, “international supermarkets, chain stores can be seen everywhere in China and we welcome more to come.”

From Seattle Times

“The destruction of the big combines and chain stores had brought individuality back to English life,” he writes.

From Washington Post

The idea that chain stores are all more or less alike, affirming that everyone at any location is part of the same consumer zeitgeist, is the heart of their appeal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boutique
• convenience store
• deli
• department store
• discount store
• drugstore
• emporium
• grocery store
• market
• outlet
• shop
• shopping center
• showroom
• supermarket