Final answer:
Retail trade in the United States was dominated by 2) general stores until 1860, which carried a wide array of merchandise for varied needs. The retail landscape evolved with the rise of mail-order catalogs and department stores.
Step-by-step explanation:
Retail historians have observed that, in the United States, retail trade was dominated by 2) general stores until 1860.
This type of store provided communities with a diverse range of products, including farm implements, textiles, and food.
General stores served as the central retail hub for many Americans, particularly in rural areas, before the rise of mail-order catalogs and department stores.
As advances in transportation and communication evolved, so did the retail landscape.
The latter part of the 19th century witnessed the growth of mail-order houses, such as that established by Aaron Montgomery Ward in 1872 and later by Sears, Roebuck & Company.
These mail-order businesses thrived by providing rural customers access to goods at lower prices and without the need to travel to urban areas or depend on the often higher-priced small-town country stores.
The shift from general stores to mail-order catalogs and the eventual emergence of department stores signified the transformation of the American consumer culture.
This market revolution also spawned the growth of chain stores like A&P and Woolworth's, which catered to a broader demographic, including those living further from city centers.
By highlighting the appeal and the importance of consumerism, the retail industry went from local and limited to national and expansive, resulting in the standardization of goods available across the country.