Hypermarkets combine grocery and department store products, with some including pharmacies and specialty stores. The concept originated in the 1960s and has become a worldwide phenomenon, offering convenience and competitive prices. However, some communities oppose their construction due to concerns about local businesses and limited shopping options.
Also known as hypermarkets, hypermarkets are large retail establishments 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, in addition to a small number of specialty stores located near the store entrance. Considered one of the most convenient designs of all large stores, the hypermarket has become a worldwide phenomenon, with retail chains in practically 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 later design of the hypermarket emerged. In the United States, he opened a store known as Thrifty Acres in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Within a year, European retailer Carrefour launched a hypermarket in Sainte-Geneieve-des-Bois, France. While the retail model worked well, the general format didn’t start to take off until the 1980s, when major retailers in the UK and US developed their own hypermarket formats and started building these combined stores in more areas.
While most retailers have created their own hypermarket layout associated with their brand, most have some basic components in common. Pharmacies are generally located near the front of the stores, a factor that sets them apart from most traditional pharmacies where the prescription is filled at the back of the store. Many also position food and other supermarket products at one end of the open floor design, and department store merchandise at the opposite end. Pay lanes are typically located in the central area of the floor, allowing easy access from any department in the store. Since 2000, many hypermarket designs have required the inclusion of self-service kiosks, allowing customers to scan, purchase and pay for their items without the assistance of a store associate.
One of the main benefits of shopping in a hypermarket is the chance to manage most of your shopping needs in one central location. You can shop, select clothing and electronics, buy blueprints and fill prescriptions, all under one roof. In superstore designs that include specialty stores, it is also possible to visit a hair salon, perform banking transactions and even get an eye exam and buy eyeglasses. In addition to convenience, hypermarkets also often offer extremely competitive prices, which is especially useful for people on a tight family budget.
While there is no doubt that the hypermarket offers convenience and can save money, many communities have begun to oppose the construction of these superstores within their boundaries. 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 superstore is built nearby. Opponents fear that, if the proliferation of hypermarkets goes unchecked, other retailers would close down and thus limit the shopping options open to consumers.
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