Ames Department Store

Long before Wal-Mart invaded New England, Ames Department Stores offered hoi polloi discount shopping on a variety of general merchandise. It operates about 330 stores in 19 northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and midwestern states and in Washington, DC. Ames bolstered its presence in those areas when it bought the 155-store Hills Stores chain in 1999. Located primarily in small cities and suburbs, Ames stores are generally smaller than the stores of national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart. Most of its shoppers are women seeking discounted name brands (clothing, furniture, housewares), health and beauty aids, and crafts. Ames, operating under Chapter 11, attracts seniors through its 55 Gold discount card promotion.

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