Wal-Mart: you can find Wal-Marts all accross America. they are usually located in the outskirts. In Wal-mart you can buy practically everything, food, really cheap casual clothes, car accessories, home improvement stuff, everything. Some Wal-Marts don't have too much food. It is one one of the cheapest shopping centers in the US. They have a generous refund policy, they accept refunds with receipt for items over 30 days.

K-Mart: similar to Wal-Mart, where you can buy practically everything. However the diversity of goods and the quality of service is sometimes lower. In the news was in the headlines a few months ago that K-Mart went bankrupt and probably this is reflected in the quality of the merchandise and tone level of the employees. If I have to choose between K-Mart or Wal-Mart I perfer Wla-Mart. Pricewise the two are about the same.

Sam's Club: Sam's Club is a bit special becuause it's typically a wholesaler chain. Only members can shop at Sam's Club. The membership fee is about $30 for a year and you will get a club card. They have very low prices, many items are lower priced than at Wal-Mart. In Europe it is similar to the Metro shopping chain. Some of the quantities you have to buy at Sam's Club have a minimum, but most of the items you can buy without any restrictions. Yuo can buy food, electronics, home improvement, practically everything. The offer is not so diversified than in Wal-Mart. They have great prices. I recommend you their rechargeable calling cards.

Costco: It is a wholeseller just like Sam's Club. It has a yearly membership fee with card access and offer quality products at good prices.

Superfresh: This is a food shooping chain on the east coast. I have seen Superfresh in Florida and New Jersey. I haven't seen them on the West Coast.

Kroger: Food shopping chain, compared to other similar grocery chains they have quite high prices. I shopped there when I was in emergency or others were closed.

Albertsons: Large food and grocery shopping chain. They are present on the West coast. I shopped a few times with them, but I'm not very familiar with them. They have a quite unique offer: you can shop for groceries online and they will send you the food home for free.

Vons: Large foof shopping chain. They have outstanding customer service. The best customer service and most friendly staff I've ever seen.

Safeway: Safeway is part of the same company which runs Vons.

Circuit City: electronics superstore.

Best Buy: electronics superstore.

Comp USA: All the above three are high tech superstores. You can find audio-video-computer stuff and accessories. If you are a tech fan then these stores are a must.

Radio Shack: also an electronics shop chain. There are in lots of malls and big shopping centers. Radio Shack has many small small shops. Their prices are quite high, and the diversity even won't come close to the big tech superstores.

Circuit City: electronics superstore.

Best Buy: electronics superstore.

Comp USA: All the above three are high tech superstores. You can find audio-video-computer stuff and accessories. If you are a tech fan then these stores are a must.

Radio Shack: also an electronics shop chain. There are in lots of malls and big shopping centers. Radio Shack has many small small shops. Their prices are quite high, and the diversity even won't come close to the big tech superstores.

Home Depot: it is the best home improvement, tool, gardening and hardware superstore. It is all accross the US.

Bed, Bath and Beyond: if you are looking for a home decoration, home improvement store chain then this is for you. It is by far not so big like Home Depot, and not so versatile. Home Depot is more focused on tools, hardware while BBB on internal home improvement, decoration.

Office Depot: together with Office Max these two are the largest office equipment superstore in America. If you want to buy stationery, office equipment, computers, office supplies, toner you will find it here at these stores. They have about the same product range, I didn't notice any marked difference.

Office Max: Office Max has a bit higher prices than Office Depot.

Staples: Similar to Office Max, they run good promotions. I purchased printers there with deep discounts.

American food: McDonalds, Burger King, Danny's, Sonic, Tommy's

Mexican food: Taco Bell, Del Taco

Chinese or Thai Food: Panda Express

Italian and pizzas: Sbarro, Pizza Hut, Dominos Pizza