From Le Bon Marché in Paris to Macy’s in New York, we delve into the history of the world’s most iconic department stores.

Department stores are the hot new thing”—said no one in the last 20 years. Yet despite decades of closure headlines, plenty of these stores are still ringing up sales.

Bigger and bigger stores -- Modernizing stores -- Service beyond the stores -- Parking for stores -- Branch stores -- Station wagon stores -- Stores in shopping centers -- Stores make the mall -- ...

Author and historian Leslie Goddard’s fascination with department stores runs in the family. Her grandfather was a department store lifer, working first for Marshall Field’s then Carson Pirie Scott.

Generally considered the world’s first department store, Le Bon Marché in Paris spurred a retail revolution when it began its incredible expansion in the late 19th century. The stores that followed on ...