Title: Dime Stores | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: Dime Stores
Dime Stores
DIME STORES
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Content: Chain store operators controlled over 80 percent of the $8.2 million in sales garnered by 21,582 stores in 1973. Soon the variety stores' business declined because they lost their advantage in all of the major merchandise classifications they once dominated. Other forms of retailing took away their hegemony as the dime stores failed to compete effectively. They lost the stationery business to the new home office stores. Growing shoe chains, such as Payless, Thom McAn, and Kinney Shoes (owned by Woolworth), grabbed the low-price shoe business. Drug stores, particularly deep-discount drug stores, captured the toiletries business. Discount stores and toy chains, such as Toys 'R' Us and KB Toys, captured the toy business. Grocery stores and drug stores took over the candy business. The notions business went to fabric stores and became a victim of cultural changes. Woolworth closed its last dime store in 1997.