485243 The Bon March矇 Shop in the rue du Bac, Paris in 1847 (litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: Illustration of the original small shop, opened in 1838 by the Videau Brothers; later to become the first French \'Grand Magasin\'; the Bon March矇 Department stores in Paris were the creation of the French entrepreneur, Aristide Boucicaut (1810-77), who together with his wife, Marguerite (1826-87), revolutionised shopping and retailing in France after 1852 when they took over the shop; they created the first Department Store (Grand Magasin) in Paris, by 1877 the largest in the world with 1788 employees; the Boucicauts were responsible for introducing the concept of shopping as an enjoyable experience with glamorous interiors; innovations included fixed prices, home delivery, large choice of goods, guarantees allowing exchanges or returns, catalogues , mail order and advertising; the development of department stores was a major force in democratising consumption and making society more egalitarian by giving women the freedom and ability to shop on their own;); French, out of copyright.