Big-box store

A “big-box” store is a large retail store, typically part of a national or international chain. These stores are large (usually 5,000 square meters or more), boxy, and warehouse-like. They can offer a large variety of products at lower prices than you’d find at specialty stores.

The classic big-box store is Walmart. Other examples are Target (general merchandise), Staples (office supplies), Best Buy (electronics), Costco (warehouse club), and Home Depot (hardware).

For example, you can say:

• Many consumers prefer shopping at big box stores because they offer lower prices than the stores at the mall.
• Big-box stores have forced smaller retailers to close.