6

Some stores like Delifrance, Starbuck, expand their business in my local area, but some traditional stores are going to be eliminated through competition because something happens or maybe they don't have any branches. These traditional stores are usually standalone.

In contrast with Delifrance, Starbuck, which are chain stores, what is the name given to these traditional stores? Are they are called "standalone" businesses or "standalone" stores?

Kitty

| improve this question | |
  • 3
    Interesting question! My (non-native) guesses would be "local businesses", "independent shops", "corner shops". (0: I also tried some google-fu: typed in "chain stores vs." and let Google's autofill propose some options to me. – CowperKettle Sep 14 '15 at 11:57
  • I've edited out your 'phatic' congratulations - these are gracious but would be better suited as comments here. – StoneyB on hiatus Sep 14 '15 at 12:11
  • 2
    I think they'd usually be referred to as the independents (or independent stores, retailers, outlets, etc.), not "standalone(s)". – FumbleFingers Reinstate Monica Sep 14 '15 at 12:24
  • I second FumbleFingers. Independent is probably the best word, if the main sense you want to convey is not just "small companies", "mom-and-pop", or "local businesses". Independent conveys the sense of being non-chain, non-franchised, and independently owned. – Damkerng T. Sep 16 '15 at 7:45
3

It's called a mom and pop store.

From this site

A small, independent, usually family-owned, controlled, and operated business that has a minimum amount of employees, has only a small amount of business volume, and is typically not franchised, therefore open for business only in a single location.

More links here:

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/momandpop.asp

http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/24/s.html

| improve this answer | |
  • 4
    While this is true in the USA, "mom & pop" is not used in the UK. – Chenmunka Sep 14 '15 at 12:11
2

I'd say...

A local store/restaurant

Or

A non-chain store/restaurant

| improve this answer | |
  • 2
    Local business is a common choice, but I haven't heard non-chain business used. This article talks about the types of businesses in the question en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Austin_Weird It refers to them as local, small, and independent businesses. – ColleenV Sep 14 '15 at 17:09
  • Okay, after a little search - forbes.com/sites/richwinley/2015/08/31/… @ColleenV – Maulik V♦ Sep 15 '15 at 4:23
  • 2
    OK, so I searched also, and folks on the Internet do use "non-chain" when looking for locally-owned restaurants (which is how I would say it) that are unique to the city they're visiting. It doesn't seem common for other types of businesses though. Most of the articles I've read about big companies hurting "standalone" businesses use terms like "small companies", "mom-and-pop" (in the US), and "local businesses". I'm not saying non-chain is incorrect, it just seems a little awkward to me. – ColleenV Sep 15 '15 at 4:52

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.