Final answer:
Selfridge's, Le Bon Marché, and Matsuzakaya were pioneering department stores that emerged in major cities and became social hubs for shopping and modern retail innovation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selfridge's, Le Bon Marché, and Matsuzakaya were department stores that emerged as part of the consumer culture in major industrialized cities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These stores were not just places to purchase goods; they became innovative social centers, influencing shopping habits and modern retail. Selfridge's in London, Le Bon Marché in Paris, and Matsuzakaya in Tokyo distinguished themselves with lavish displays, a wide array of consumer goods, and services like electrical illumination. The Bon Marché in Paris, in particular, was significant in that it was considered the first real department store and, over time, it expanded to occupy an entire city block and employed thousands, becoming a monument of commerce as significant as the Arc de Triomphe was to French national pride.