Originally Posted by
toomanybooks
Very often we see cards that give nice bonuses or cashback for spending in "department stores."
Is there a specific definition of this term anywhere, or does it vary from credit card to credit card? If you Google the term, you find a lot of places come up that seem to stretch the definition, at least as I understand it.
Which of these are or are not in that category?:
Wal-Mart
Kohl's
Target
Sears
K-Mart
Big Lots
Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Dillard's
Meijer
Nordstrom's
and hundreds more
How can we be sure we are spending at a "department store?" It could make a huge difference to our strategies. Are we to contact every card issuer and ask for a list?
The best way to know is to check what comes up on your credit card statment when you make purchases. Generally, department stores are only those that are TRULY department stores: Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Dillard's, Nieman, Saks, JCPenny, Sears, etc. However, both H&M and Kohl's are considered department stores as well.
Most clothing stores are listed as that: "General Merchandise - clothing stores".
Most discount stores are listed as discount stores or general stores: Marshall's, TJMaxx, K-Mart, Target, etc.
Bed Bath and Beyond is considered a home furnishing store.
I am sure about the above classifications because I checked my credit card statements. For others, I am not sure. But in general, only LARGE, true department stores classify themselves as department stores.