The old retail chain that was literally known as Best was Best Products Company, Inc.
Best Products Company, Inc., commonly referred to simply as Best, was a prominent American retail establishment. Although often thought of in the context of general merchandise like department stores, Best operated primarily as a chain of catalog showroom retail stores. This distinct business model allowed customers to browse items in a showroom and then order them from a catalog, with products retrieved from an on-site warehouse.
The Legacy of Best Products
Founded in 1957 by the entrepreneurial couple Sydney and Frances Lewis, Best Products grew to become a significant player in the American retail landscape. Its headquarters were located in Richmond, Virginia.
Catalog Showroom Model
The concept of a catalog showroom differed from that of a traditional department store in several key ways, even though both offered a wide array of consumer goods:
- Display vs. Inventory: While department stores typically displayed most of their merchandise on the sales floor, catalog showrooms usually had samples of products on display. The bulk of the inventory was stored in a back warehouse, reducing showroom space needs.
- Ordering Process: Customers would fill out an order form for the items they wished to purchase, which were then retrieved by staff from the warehouse. This often led to a more streamlined checkout process and less risk of shoplifting compared to traditional open-display retail.
- Product Range: Catalog showrooms, like Best, offered a vast selection of products, including:
- Jewelry
- Electronics
- Housewares
- Small appliances
- Sporting goods
This wide variety made them a competitor to traditional department stores, often at competitive prices due to lower operational overhead on display space.
| Feature | Best Products (Catalog Showroom) | Traditional Department Store |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Sales Model | Catalog-based, showroom display | Open sales floor, direct sale |
| Inventory Location | Back warehouse | Sales floor |
| Founders | Sydney and Frances Lewis | Varied (e.g., Marshall Field) |
| Founded | 1957 | Earlier (19th-early 20th century) |
Best Products was also notably recognized for its distinctive and often avant-garde postmodern architecture for many of its stores, which made them unique and recognizable landmarks. Although the company ultimately ceased operations in the late 20th century, its unique approach to retail left a lasting mark on the industry.
For more information on Best Products, you can visit its Wikipedia page.
