Hypermarkets are large retail stores that combine grocery and department store products, often including a pharmacy and specialty stores. They originated in the 1960s and have become a worldwide phenomenon, offering convenience and competitive prices. However, their proliferation has led to concerns about the impact on local businesses and shopping options.
Also known as hypermarkets, hypermarkets are large retail stores that combine the product lines found in a grocery store with those found in a grocery store. The latest incarnation of these types of markets may also include a full-service pharmacy, as well as a small number of specialty stores located near the store entrance. Regarded as one of the most convenient of all superstore designs, the hypermarket has become a worldwide phenomenon, with retail chains in almost every country in the world using this retail model.
The history of the hypermarket is usually traced back to the early 1960s. Two prototypes for the subsequent hypermarket project emerged. In the United States, a hypermarket known as Thrifty Acres opened for business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Within a year, European retailer Carrefour launched a hypermarket in Sainte-Genieeve-des-Bois, France. While the retail model worked well, the overall format didn’t start to take off until the latter part of the 1980s when large retailers in the UK and US developed their own unique hypermarket formats and started building these combined stores in multiple areas.
While most retailers have created their own particular hypermarket layout associated with their brand, most have a few basic components in common. Pharmacies are usually located near the front of stores, a factor that sets them apart from most stand-around pharmacies, where prescriptions are filled at the rear of the establishment. Many also place food and other supermarket fare at one end of the open plan design and department store merchandise at the opposite end. Checkout aisles are normally located in the central area of the floor, allowing for easy access from any department within the store. Since 2000, many hypermarket projects have called for the inclusion of self-service kiosks, allowing customers to scan, pack and pay for their items without the assistance of a store employee.
One of the key benefits of shopping at a hypermarket is that you can handle most of your shopping needs in one central location. You can shop for groceries, select clothing and electronics, purchase plants, and fill prescriptions all under one roof. In supermarket designs that include specialty stores, you can also visit a styling salon, conduct banking transactions, and even get an eye exam and buy glasses. In addition to convenience, hypermarkets often offer extremely competitive prices, which is especially good for people on a limited family budget
While there is no doubt that the hypermarket provides convenience and can save money, many communities have started to oppose the construction of these supermarkets within their borders. Local businesses often cannot compete with the prices offered by larger competitors, and even large grocery stores and department stores can find it difficult to stay in business when a supermarket is built nearby. Opponents fear that if the proliferation of hypermarkets is not brought under control, other retailers will eventually close, thus limiting the shopping options open to consumers.
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