Department Store
A retail business with many departments, each run separately by an experienced manager but all under one roof, often with facilities like toilets, restaurants, and an ATM for customer convenience (e.g. Arno in Douala, Mahima, Dovv). Each department is specialised and headed by its own manager, and departments help advertise each other.
Supermarket
A large self-service store selling a variety of prepacked, pre-priced food and household goods. Supermarkets are smaller than hypermarkets, are found in town shopping centres, and don’t offer credit.
Hypermarket
A very large supermarket with many checkout points and large parking, often located away from shopping areas. Hypermarkets are larger than supermarkets, typically have at least 25 checkout points, offer credit card facilities, and provide entertainment and social facilities.
Multiple Shops
A number of identical shops spread over a large area, supplied from a central warehouse (e.g. MTN or Itel shops, Congelcam, Total). Advertising is done by the head office, and each branch is run by a branch manager.
Mail Order
Buying and selling by post — items like watches, jewellery, or phones — with heavy use of catalogues; the goods are posted once payment is received (e.g. eBay, Alibaba, Amazon).
Chain Stores vs Department Stores
| Chain Stores | Department Stores |
|---|---|
| Many branches spread across the country | Many departments under one roof |
| Usually don’t provide credit | Usually provide credit |
| Sell one or few types of goods | Sell a variety of goods |
| No parking space provided | Provide parking space |
| Supplies come from head office | Each department buys its own supplies |
