The Department Store Drifter began as a overnight stocker trapped during the initial basement outbreak, turning after exposure to contaminated water in the storage areas. Now, it wanders perpetually through the department store's labyrinthine aisles, its mind erased by the infection but its body bound to the retail landscape it once maintained.

The Department Store Drifter possesses a slow, relentless shuffling motion that allows it to cover large areas without fatigue. Its decayed flesh is surprisingly durable, resisting minor impacts, and it exhibits heightened sensitivity to sound and movement within the acoustically amplified store spaces. The entity leaves subtle traces like disturbed merchandise and faint moans, creating an ambient threat that preys on survivor carelessness.

The Department Store Drifter acts as a roaming obstacle within the mall's retail zones, forcing survivors to use stealth and planning to navigate its patrol routes. It contributes to the escalating horror by turning everyday shopping areas into unpredictable danger zones.