"flagship store" bedeutet, wie Du auf der Website im folgenden sehen kannst, eine Geschäftsstelle eines Konzerns (also kein Einzelgeschäft), die als "Vorzeigeobjekt" dient:
http://www.thinksecret.com/features/newstores.html
Apple to unveil flagship retail stores, roll out smaller outlets
By Nick dePlume, Publisher and Editor in Chief
May 10, 2002 - Think Secret has learned that Apple Computer Inc. is planning to strengthen its retail presence by opening two flagship stores, as described by multiple sources within Apple corporate. One store will be in the SoHo district of Manhattan, New York -- a retail spot that has been tracked for some time by this publication and others. The second flagship store will be located at the Grove at Farmers Market, in Los Angeles, and while unconfirmed, there is a possibility of a third such store in Chicago.
These locations will not only be larger, but will reportedly feature a two-floored layout. They will also differ from the current store lineup in other ways, the specifics of which were not disclosed by sources. "The location is prime hipster area," said one Manhattan local, referring to the retail space Apple has leased there. "Having a good, large, well-located store in SoHo as a flagship makes good business sense." Another New York resident observed that "about four of the typical Apple stores could fit into this amount of real estate

Andere Beispiele ließen sich zur Genüge für Ketten wie Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, John Lewis etc.in England finden.