hipermercado

A hipermercado is a large retail format that combines elements of a supermarket and a department store. It offers a broad assortment that includes groceries, fresh produce, and a wide range of non-food products such as clothing, electronics, and household goods. The layout emphasizes a one-stop shopping experience and self-service. Hypermarkets are typically large in size, often several thousand square meters, and designed for efficient high-volume sales with extensive shelves and regionalized assortments.

Compared with a standard supermarket, a hipermercado incorporates non-food departments under one roof and frequently provides services such as pharmacies, fuel, or photo processing. Relative to traditional department stores, the emphasis remains on groceries and everyday goods and on low-price strategies enabled by scale. Hypermarkets are commonly located in urban outskirts or retail parks and are often part of national or international chains.

The concept originated in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, with French chains such as Carrefour among the pioneers. The format spread worldwide, reaching Latin America, parts of Asia and Africa. In Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets the term hipermercado is standard and is used to describe this large-format retail format.

Operations typically rely on large-scale supply chains, competitive pricing, and promotions. Many hypermarkets include additional services or facilities, such as attached fuel stations, bakeries, pharmacies, or cafes, and increasingly offer online ordering and home delivery. The format has had significant economic and urban impacts, influencing shopping patterns, employment, and competition with smaller retailers.