Final answer:
The term used to describe modern, branded chain retail stores is 'department stores.' These stores represented a significant shift in consumer behavior, offering a wide range of products at fixed prices and contributing to the development of a national identity through standardized consumer products.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe modern, branded chain retail stores is department stores. Department stores emerged as hubs of consumerism, showcasing a variety of goods under one roof with fixed prices and pervasive advertising. These establishments differ from other retail formats by offering a wide assortment of items across various product categories. Places like Wanamaker's in Philadelphia and Macy's in New York epitomize the department store concept. They are vastly different from small, family-run shops or peddlers where haggling was the norm. Department stores were influential in standardizing consumer products throughout a country, which, together with advancements like print and primary education, aided in forming a national identity.
As department stores evolved, so did consumer experiences. These stores, often located in major cities, became iconic with features like window displays, a wide selection of goods, and electrical lighting, further contributing to city life pleasures. Enhanced transport and mass production of goods made consumer goods more accessible, with innovations like mail-order catalogs from Sears providing rural and remote areas with the same purchasing opportunities as urban residents. Hence, a standardized and predictable shopping experience became the norm.