What type of store focuses on specific categories of apparel?

The correct choice is a specialty store. Specialty stores are designed to focus on a specific category of apparel, such as women's clothing, children's wear, or athletic gear. This concentrated approach allows them to curate a more focused selection of items that cater specifically to their target customer base, often providing a unique shopping experience compared to larger retailers.

In contrast, department stores typically offer a wide range of products across various categories, including clothing, home goods, and cosmetics, which means they do not specialize in any one apparel section. Chain stores, while they may focus on specific clothing types, are defined more by their multiple locations under a single brand rather than by the specialization in clothing categories. Manufactured-owned stores, on the other hand, are retail outlets directly controlled by a specific manufacturer, which can lead to a variety of categories but not necessarily a focus on one specific type of apparel.