Mall vs. Department Store — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 2, 2023
A "Mall" is a large enclosed shopping complex with multiple stores, while a "Department Store" is a single retail establishment offering various products in different sections.
Difference Between Mall and Department Store
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Mall" and "Department Store" both relate to shopping, but they differ fundamentally in scope and structure. A mall is a large building or complex that houses numerous individual retail stores, food outlets, and sometimes entertainment facilities. It offers shoppers a variety of brands and items under one roof, yet within distinct stores.
In contrast, a department store is a singular retail entity that provides a range of merchandise grouped into different "departments" or sections. For example, one can find clothing, electronics, housewares, and cosmetics in separate areas but within the same store.
A significant distinction is that while a mall is a collective space for many separate retailers, a department store operates under one business entity. Thus, when you walk through a mall, you'll encounter numerous individual businesses, each with its branding and products. A department store, meanwhile, offers varied products but maintains consistent store branding throughout.
Another difference lies in their physical presence. Malls are designed to accommodate many patrons, often with vast parking areas, multiple floors, and amenities like restrooms, seating areas, and food courts. Department stores, while sizable, generally have a more straightforward layout focused on the shopping experience and might be found within malls themselves.
Lastly, the rise of digital shopping has influenced both. Malls and department stores have evolved to offer more experiential shopping to entice customers, but their foundational differences remain: one is a hub of various retailers, and the other is a single, multifaceted retail entity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A complex with multiple retailers.
A single retail entity with various product sections.
Structure
Multiple distinct stores.
Multiple departments within one store.
Ownership
Individual stores own their space.
One entity owns all departments.
Examples
Shopping centers, strip malls.
Macy's, Nordstrom.
Location
Standalone or in urban centers.
Often found within malls or as standalone stores.
Compare with Definitions
Mall
A promenade or shaded walkway.
They took a stroll down the mall lined with trees.
Department Store
A singular business offering diverse products.
This department store carries both luxury and budget-friendly brands.
Mall
A large area for public recreation.
The National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a popular tourist attraction.
Department Store
A large retail establishment offering a variety of products.
She found the perfect shoes at the department store downtown.
Mall
A complex containing a variety of retail shops.
She spent the day browsing the mall for a new dress.
Department Store
A store categorized into sections for different merchandise.
The department store had distinct areas for electronics and clothing.
Mall
An urban shopping area limited to pedestrians.
The city center has a beautiful pedestrian mall.
Department Store
A retail space often occupying multiple floors.
The city's oldest department store spans four spacious floors.
Mall
A game of pall-mall.
Historically, the mall was named after a game called pall-mall.
Department Store
An anchor store in shopping malls.
The new mall will feature a prominent department store as its main attraction.
Mall
A large, often enclosed shopping complex containing various stores, businesses, and restaurants usually accessible by common passageways.
Mall
A street lined with shops and closed to vehicles.
Mall
A shady public walk or promenade.
Mall
Chiefly Upstate New York See median.
Mall
A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.
Mall
An enclosed shopping centre.
Mall
(obsolete) An alley where the game of pall mall was played.
Mall
A public walk; a level shaded walk, a promenade.
Mall
A heavy wooden mallet or hammer used in the game of pall mall.
Mall
(obsolete) The game of polo.
Mall
(obsolete) An old game played with malls or mallets and balls; pall mall.
Mall
To beat with a mall, or mallet; to beat with something heavy; to bruise
Mall
To build up with the development of shopping malls
Mall
(informal) to shop at the mall
Mall
A large heavy wooden beetle; a mallet for driving anything with force; a maul.
Mall
A heavy blow.
Mall
An old game played with malls or mallets and balls. See Pall-mall.
Mall
A place where the game of mall was played. Hence: A public walk; a level shaded walk.
Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and planted with elms; and these convenient and frequented walks obtained the name of the City Mall.
Mall
Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of the notables of a state for the transaction of public business, such meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly.
Councils, which had been as frequent as diets or malls, ceased.
Mall
A public access area containing a promenade for pedestrians; as, to gather near the Washington monument on the mall in Washington.
Mall
The paved or grassy strip between two roadways.
Mall
A shopping area with multiple shops and a concourse for predominantly or exclusively pedestrian use; in cities the concourse is usually a city street which may be temporarily or permamently closed to motor vehicles; in suburban areas, a mall is often located on a convenient highway, may be large, contained in one building or in multiple buildings connected by (usually covered) walkways. Also called shopping mall
Mall
To beat with a mall; to beat with something heavy; to bruise; to maul.
Mall
A public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
Mall
Mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace;
A good plaza should have a movie house
They spent their weekends at the local malls
Common Curiosities
Can a department store be inside a mall?
Yes, many malls have department stores as anchor tenants.
Can a mall exist without a department store?
Yes, not all malls have department stores as tenants.
Do malls only contain retail shops?
No, malls can also have food outlets, entertainment facilities, and more.
Is every store in a mall individually owned?
Yes, each store operates as a separate business entity, whereas a department store is one entity.
Is a department store the same as a mall?
No, a mall houses multiple stores, while a department store is a single retailer with various departments.
Why are there food courts in malls but not always in department stores?
Malls are larger and aim to provide an extensive shopping experience, while department stores focus mainly on retail.
Are malls only indoor spaces?
No, there are also outdoor or open-air malls.
Why are department stores often multi-leveled?
To maximize retail space and provide a wide variety of products.
Which is bigger, a mall or a department store?
Typically, a mall is larger as it accommodates multiple stores, including department stores.
Can a department store have its branding across products?
Yes, many department stores carry their private label products.
Which offers more variety, a mall or a department store?
Malls typically offer more variety due to the presence of numerous individual stores.
Are department stores typically more upscale than other stores in a mall?
Not necessarily; while some are upscale, others cater to a broader market.
Do all department stores offer the same range of products?
While many have similar departments, the range and brands can vary.
Can malls have non-retail services like salons or gyms?
Yes, many malls offer a range of services beyond just retail.
Are malls a modern invention?
The concept of a shopping hub dates back, but contemporary enclosed malls became popular in the mid-20th century.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
