Product Code Database
A category killer is a type of retailer, usually a big-box store, that specialty store in a single product category and carries a wide assortment of related goods. By offering extensive selections, competitive pricing, and leveraging large-scale bargaining power, these stores often gain a comparative advantage over smaller retailers and can significantly reduce competitors’ sales within that category increasing their market penetration.
They are generally described as discount-orientated specialist mass retailers. Examples include Chain store such as OfficeMax, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and Hobby Lobby.
Category killers were once most commonly located in power centers, but are now often found within or adjacent to repurposed Shopping mall.
Large category killer stores are typically located in mid- to large-sized cities, where sufficient population density supports their operations.
| +Examples of retailers considered to be category killers !Retailer !Category !Defunct | ||
| The Home Depot | Home and construction | |
| Lowe's | ||
| Builders Square | 1999 (stores) 2009 (brand) | |
| Home Quarters | 1999 | |
| Circuit City | Electronics | 2009 (stores) 2012 (brand) |
| Best Buy | ||
| Toys "R" Us | Toys | 2018 - 2021 (US stores) |
| Barnes & Noble | Books | |
| Borders | 2011 | |
| OfficeMax | Office supplies | |
| Office Depot | ||
| Staples | ||
| Petco | Pet supplies | |
| PetSmart | ||
| Party City | Party supplies | 2024 |
| The Gap | Clothing | |
| Old Navy |
|
|
