supermercato

Supermercato is a large self-service retail store that sells a wide range of food and household products. It is typically organized into departments such as produce, meat and fish, dairy, bakery, frozen foods, dry goods, beverages, and non-food items. Customers select items from shelves and proceed to checkout lanes to pay and bag their purchases. Many stores also offer loyalty programs, promotional pricing, and private-label brands.

Origin and usage: The supermarket model originated in the early 20th century in North America and spread worldwide. In Italian, supermercato denotes a large grocery store. It differs from mercato, an open-air market, and from ipermercato (hypermarket), which is larger and combines groceries with non-food goods.

Operations and business model: Supermarkets rely on scale, centralized purchasing, efficient logistics, and shelf-space management. They use promotions and private labels to compete with national brands. Depending on the chain, services may include a deli, bakery, pharmacy, or customer service desks.

Impact and trends: Supermarkets shape consumer shopping habits, influence urban retail, and affect traditional markets. They are subject to food-safety and labeling regulations and increasingly focus on sustainability, packaging waste reduction, and reducing food waste. Digital channels, online ordering, home delivery, and click-and-collect have become common.