Site: Distinction Between Departments and
Department Stores/Shops 
This section describes the relationship between departments and department stores/shops.
Two different models for mapping articles are the department store/shop model and the store model with departments. The department store/shop model maps the articles in more detail than the store model with departments, as the assortment is divided across the different shops and in logistical terms can only be used within the shops.
The Department Store and Shop types are used to structure large stores in a retail company into departments. In SAP Retail, different categories of stores are used to provide a greater level of detail in the system when structuring articles in a site (retail company).
· Store
· Department store
· Shop
Department and Department Store/Shop both represent subdivisions within a store. In SAP Retail, the main difference between Department and Department Store/Shop lies in how special functions are mapped. Department stores and shops are mapped in SAP Retail as stores with an additional indicator.
The main difference between the department store/shop model and the store model with departments is the division of the entire assortment between different shops. The vendor subrange can only be retailed within the relevant shop. The department store is used to bundle individual shops in organizational terms.
In retail terms, a department is a subdivision of a store. To control procurement procedures, bundled merchandise categories in a store are assigned to the departments.
At shop level, all processes (including inventory management) can be performed and used at store level. In contrast, all processes related to departments are performed at the level of the higher-level store.
See also: