Department store
Panama's first department stores such as Bazaar Frances, La Dalia and La Villa de Paris started as textile retailers at the turn of the nineteenth century. Later on in the twentieth century these eventually gave way to stores such as Felix B. Maduro, Sarah Panama, Figali, Dante, Sears, Gran Morrison and smaller ones such as Bon Bini, Cocos, El Lider, Piccolo and Clubman among others. Of these only Felix B. Maduro (usually referred to as Felix by locals) and Dante remain strong. All the others have either folded or declined although Cocos has managed to secure a good position in the market.
How did Panama's department stores originally begin? 
as textile retailers
Panama's first department stores such as Bazaar Frances, La Dalia and La Villa de Paris started as textile retailers at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Department store