Supermarket Super Bazaar - Meaning Definition Features

Supermarket Super Bazaar Meaning

Supermarket is also called as Super Bazaar in India.

Bazaar is a Hindi word, which means a market in English.

Supermarket is a large-scale retail organization, selling a wide variety of consumer goods on the principle of self-service. They are rightly called as Self-Service Stores as customers have to serve themselves and there are no counter salesmen to help the customers. Supermarkets are also called Food Fairs or Pick Quicks. It is a large scale retail trading organization housed in a large-size premise dealing mostly in numerous varieties of food products, including groceries, fruits, vegetables, meat, confectionery and dairy products. It is a retail trading organization which resembles departmental stores but has a distinctive feature of self-service.

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Thus, supermarket is nothing but a retail organization providing food and household articles to consumer under one roof without any kind of sales pressure from salesmen and sale assistants. United States of America (USA) is said to be the homeland of supermarkets.

In India, Apna Bazaar, Sahakari Bhandar, etc., are some good examples of supermarkets or super bazaars.

Read article on advantages and disadvantages of the supermarket.

Definition of Supermarket

According to Dictionary of Business and Finance, Supermarket is defined as,

“Large store selling a wide variety of consumer goods, particularly food and small articles of household requirements.”

Features of Supermarket

The characteristics or features of the supermarket are as follows:

1. Centrally located in big premises

Supermarkets are normally opened in a central locality where ample space is available. It is housed in big premises. Without such premises proper display of different goods cannot be arranged.

2. No sales pressure

One important feature of a supermarket is self-service. There is a complete absence of salesmen and sales assistants. Thus, there is no sales pressure of any kind. Customers can make a selection according to their needs and desires.

3. Maintains low prices

The prices of goods in the supermarkets are reasonable or low. This is because they (companies running supermarkets) buy in bulk and enjoy all the advantages of bulk buying. Similarly, their salary bill is low due to the absence of salesmen and sales assistants.

4. Sell goods on a cash basis

Supermarkets sell goods on 'Cash and Carry basis.' In such a kind of a business, credit facilities are usually not offered. This reduces bad debts.

5. Deals in necessaries of life

Supermarket deals in commodities, which are required regularly. Thus, they deal in tinned products of well-known brands, groceries and provision, readymade garments, fruits, etc. The turnover is quick as the demand for the necessaries of life is a continuous one.

6. Established by companies

Supermarkets are retailing shops, which are large in size. They do business on a large scale and require huge financial resources. Hence, they are normally established by Joint-stock companies.

7. Deals in pre-packed goods

Supermarket normally deals in pre-packed goods or products. It uses latest and up to date packing material to protect quality and quantity. On all packages, prices, weights, particulars of goods, grade and quality are specified.

8. Needs huge capital to operate

Supermarket is a large retail trading organization. It requires a substantial amount of capital for big premises, huge warehousing, ample parking and stocking of a wide variety of commodities.

9. Provides a great shopping convenience

Supermarket provides a great deal of shopping convenience as all goods are available under one roof.

10. Keeps variety of goods

Supermarkets keep all varieties, novelties and brands which give ample scope for selection.

11. Self-service store

Customers are given attractive trolleys or hand baskets or bags for keeping goods which they want to buy. Goods are systematically arranged and beautifully displayed. Customers select these goods and keep them in the trolley. Finally, they have to come to the billing section for making payment and then delivery is given at the delivery counter.