lojas americanas is one of the most ubiquitous 'lifestyle' chain stores found throughout brasil - it was actually founded by four americans named batson borger, glen matson, john lee, and james marshall back in 1929, whose very first store launched in rio de janeiro's charming sister city niterói.

the founders wanted to extend their venture into rio de janeiro, modeling their american and european stores that were already booming with success because of their low prices, offers, and promotions - out of the first four stores, three were located in rio, and one in são paulo - eventually, lojas americanas became a national conglomerate and a household name.

the one-stop-for-everything store carries health & beauty products, stationary items, gardening tools, toys, snack & chocolates, home decor that includes bed and bath accessories, housewares and domestic electronics such as blenders, irons & steamers, as well as other electronics such as include mobile phones, cameras, cds and dvds, computers, and more.