Supermarket Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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supermarket

[ˈsuːpəˌmɑːrkɪt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

shopping

A large self-service store selling foods and household goods.

Synonyms

grocery store, hypermarket, megamarket.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
supermarket	A place to buy a variety of food, drinks, and household items. Usually larger than a grocery store but smaller than a hypermarket. I go to the supermarket every Sunday to buy groceries for the week. The supermarket has a section for fresh vegetables and fruits.
grocery store	A smaller retail store where you can buy food and everyday items. Often caters to a local neighborhood. I need to stop by the grocery store to pick up some milk. The grocery store around the corner has the best fresh bread.
hypermarket	A very large retail space that combines a supermarket and a department store, offering a wide range of products including electronics, clothing, and home goods. Our family does the monthly shopping at the hypermarket. You can buy everything from clothes to kitchenware at the hypermarket.
megamarket	A term often used to describe an extremely large retail space similar to a hypermarket but may emphasize even more variety and magnitude of products. The new megamarket has a huge electronics section. During the weekend, the megamarket gets really crowded.

Examples of usage

You can find everything you need in a supermarket: from fresh vegetables to cleaning products.
I prefer to do my grocery shopping in a supermarket rather than in small shops.
The supermarket is open 24/7 for customers' convenience.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

The first supermarket is often credited to Michael J. Cullen, who opened a grocery store in New York City in 1930 that offered self-service shopping.
In post-World War II America, supermarkets rapidly grew in number, coinciding with suburban development and increased automobile ownership.

Culture

Supermarkets have become important social spaces where communities gather, with many offering more than just groceries, like cafes and services.
In various countries, the design and layout of supermarkets reflect cultural preferences and shopping habits, showcasing local and international products.

Economics

Supermarkets help drive consumer behavior and influence food prices by their purchasing power and shelf space negotiations with suppliers.
They are involved in various practices such as loss leaders, where certain products are sold at a loss to attract more customers.

Technology

With advancements, many supermarkets now offer online shopping and delivery services, changing how people approach grocery buying.
Self-checkout stations have become common, allowing customers to scan and pay for their own items quickly and efficiently.

Origin of 'supermarket'

Main points about word origin

The term combines 'super' meaning above or over, and 'market' which comes from the Latin 'mercatus', meaning trade or commerce.
The word became popular in the 1930s as grocery stores began to expand their reach and product selections.

The concept of the supermarket as we know it today originated in the early 20th century in the United States. The first true supermarket was opened by Michael J. Cullen in 1930 in Queens, New York. It revolutionized the way people shopped for groceries by offering a wide variety of products at affordable prices in a self-service format. The supermarket model quickly spread across the world, becoming a staple of modern shopping culture.