As familiar as we are with big-box stores (where else can we buy a 72-pound wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano?), most of us don’t know the real reason they’ve earned the “big-box” moniker.

Huge retailers that stock massive amounts of inventory can help you stretch your money further this holiday shopping season.

Beer also is cheaper per bottle when you buy in bulk. Overall ... Woroch says that big-box retailers, such as Target and Walmart, have the best prices on name-brand cleaning supplies.