general store

A general store is a shop, large store, or other retail space offering a large variety of merchandise from different product categories. These often combine items from among categories like foodstuffs, clothing, and practical necessities. The purpose of a general store is often to provide one-stop shopping for a certain kind of consumer.

The merchandise spans different product categories. The store can combine everyday necessities with clothing or food without specializing exclusively in any one of them.

Department stores and hypermarkets are more specific large-store arrangements. A shop devoted to one product family has a different merchandise scope.