Supermarket: meaning, definitions and examples

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supermarket

[ˈsuːpəˌmɑːrkɪt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Translations of the word "supermarket" in other languages:

🇵🇹 supermercado

🇮🇳 सुपरमार्केट

🇩🇪 Supermarkt

🇮🇩 supermarket

🇺🇦 супермаркет

🇵🇱 supermarket

🇯🇵 スーパーマーケット

🇫🇷 supermarché

🇪🇸 supermercado

🇹🇷 süpermarket

🇰🇷 슈퍼마켓

🇸🇦 سوبرماركت

🇨🇿 supermarket

🇸🇰 supermarket

🇨🇳 超市

🇸🇮 supermarket

🇮🇸 stórmarkaður

🇰🇿 супермаркет

🇬🇪 სუპერმარკეტი

🇦🇿 supermarket

🇲🇽 supermercado