Lately, in the UK, there's been abit of a debate going on about supermarkets and how good they are. (Places like Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda-Walmart and morrisons in the UK, or Walmart, Target and Kmart in the USA)

There are a lot of arguments about supermarkets, and it seems that cheap prices and the convenience of everything under one roof are the main point sin the for column, and the againsts range from bad labour practices, (Walmart is staunchly anti-union) a lack of real choice (Tesco in the UK is pretty rubbish, I think, and the products they sell are bland and boring. Also, in the USA, walmart refuse to sell "explicit content" CD's, which I think is stupid.)

Also, it's quite hard to not rely on supermarkets. As their popularity increases, many local businesses are losing business or shutting shop completely. In the UK, tesco are spreading like wildfire, and recently, I've noticed an increase in the amounts of tesco express convenience stores. It seems like soon, we'll be saturated by supermarkets.

There are also quality issues. Meat bought from supermarkets is often from factory farms, and chefs have said that supermarket meat is bland, tasteless and just generally rubbish for cooking with. Also, the breeding of animals for meat has created unnaturally big animals. Take the Ross 308 (http://www.aviagen.com/output.aspx?sec=15&con=562&siteId=2) Bred simply because it grows quickly, gets fat, and has the highest profit margins, it's become rather popular. As such, the Ross 308 is a chicken that almost collapses under its own weight. It puts on weight at an unnaturally fast rate, and the legs cannot cope in many circumstances.

Vegetables too are generally rubbish. Varieties of particular vegetables are selected to be sold by supermarkets for their general appearance or shelf life rather than their quality. (i.e. taste)

Anyway, i could go on forever about supermarkets, but I'm wondering what everyone else has to say. Of course, supermarkets have become rather successful, so they must be doing something right. but are consumers blind to the true costs of supermarkets?

I avoid shopping in Walmart unless they literally are the only place that carries what I need (maybe twice a year). But I do shop at other "big box" stores such as Home Depot, because I buy a lot of building supplies and they are cheaper. I shop at the regional big food store, HEB*, because there are really no alternatives unless I drive 40 miles into the city. The local store 2 miles away is more for tourists and is only open on the weekends, and the general store in the other small town near here (4 miles away) has food so old it doesn't even have expiration dates on it. There's a sort of QuickieMart about six miles away at an RV campground, we've bought milk there a couple times. Not a lot of choices around here, really.

* I should add that HEB does carry many organic products and fresh organic produce. I drive about 12 miles to that store.

I have never known an alternative to supermarkets.

Tesco in the UK is pretty rubbish, I think, and the products they sell are bland and boring.
If they're spreading like wildfire, as you say, then what you write must be the minority opinion. A company doesn't do that great without a strong customer base.

Most people don't want to shop at small mom & pop stores, so it's no surprise that they're going out of business finally.

Since the first Walmart superstore opened here a few years ago, we have lost most of our grocery chains except Albertsons, iga/savemart. People here are always looking for the bargain or the clearance rack.

Unfortunately, our area is not veggie friendly; only a small percentage took up the fight to lobby for a Trader Joe's. Most people here consider going to Walmart like going to the amusement park; great family herds wandering through the aisles. Watercooler chat usually starts with "guess what I bought, who I saw, who I date" at Walmart.

Our one "mom & pop" store, which provides the "small town experience" is thriving, oddly enough. Some people are willing to pay for great service, but smaller selection. Their reputation is great and people come back for that.

Sorry, I love paying less for things, so I go where the prices are lowest. Fortunately in NY, I've got Wegmans with a huge vegetarian section at great prices.

If I move to NC though, the co-op here actually beats the prices of the supermarkets for almost all foods and match the prices of what I'm used to paying in NY.

Sadly, I think small family businesses are doomed. For my part, I try to lobby directly for stores to carry things like miso, or tofu, as well as pesticide-free food. I also support as best I can large stores like Wild Oats. (I've never seen a Trader Joe store). On Saturdays starting this time of the year I shop at the local Farmers Market. And encourage the small local natural food and suppliment store by buying there as much as I can.

Sorry, I love paying less for things, so I go where the prices are lowest.

Agree, I'm an unemployed student. Many of us don't have a lot of choices. Walmart has taken over here; I would have to drive over 250 miles to get to a Wild Oats.

I have every intention of buying cruelty-free and humane products when I shop, but mostly, I have to buy cheaper items because of lack of personal funds or choices. Walmart touts its' American-made products, but they don't advertise the fact that they procure these items at absurdly low rates, forcing the manufacturer to supply them at that cost indefinitely-because if Walmart stops buying from them, those companies are kaput. Vicious cycle.

Of course, supermarkets have become rather successful, so they must be doing something right. but are consumers blind to the true costs of supermarkets?


they are doing something right--they are marketing to peoples' desire for "cheap" products, and "convenience."

so, yes, most consumers are blind to the true cost of things. all they can see is how much money they have in their pocket today. and, of course, they can see how much they want.

If they're spreading like wildfire, as you say, then what you write must be the minority opinion. A company doesn't do that great without a strong customer base.

Most people don't want to shop at small mom & pop stores, so it's no surprise that they're going out of business finally.

That's what I'm saying. Supermarkets are doing something right - They aren't popular by chance alone.

But although I am in the minority, supermarkets have become large, and lately, people are starting to doubt them, and in latter days, one could argue that the strong customer base is not of a generation of people for whom he supermarket was what they chose, but rather an institutionalised part of society which they are beginning to become irate with.

It matters not that I may be the minority, because that minority could soon become a majority.

Does everyone call Walmart and Kmart a supermarket? I call them retail stores. Supermarkets in my mind, sell predominantly food, some other convenience things too, but mostly food. May be a regional terminology thing for me, though.

Regardless of the label, I am sympathetic to your post, Loki. I don't shop at Walmart. But then again, I don't really buy a lot of stuff short of food, and the walmarts near me don't sell food anyway. I went with my mother once into one that does, and I don't understand how people could shop there - its so big I'd get lost in there without a guide!! And out of curiosity I checked the food section - I didn't see anything I would buy. No vegan products, I wouldn't buy their white bread or their processed peanut butter.... really there is nothing there for me.

That said, I'm in a position financially now that I don't need to buy at walmart. I can afford to go to the whole foods or co-op to get my food, but I know a lot of people can't. I don't judge those who shop there. I just don't do it myself.

I've always used the term "supermarket" to refer to a large grocery store. Although, the latest trend around here is huge supermarkets that also sell kitchen stuff, small appliances, home and garden stuff, even clothes. I actually prefer shopping at these places now. Some of the older, smaller grocery stores here are getting rundown - the freezers don't work right, they're kind of dirty, etc. The newer ones are a much nicer design, far more pleasant environment to shop in. Bright and airy. Carts that actually work and aren't falling apart. They also have great natural foods sections that carry lots of vegan products.

I also shop at a small, locally owned grocery store for some stuff. So I get the best of both worlds. I would hate to see the giant supermarkets take over to the point that places like this don't exist anymore.

I try to avoid Wal-Mart. Can't stand the place, never could. I don't think we have Kmart or Target. There is a new giant Wal-Mart opening soon that is probably the type of "supermarket" being discussed in this thread. I may go once just to see what it's like, but I doubt I'll be shopping there.

I try and balance my shopping. For example, fruit and veg I buy and a local 'traditional' store. I also buy my bread there as they produce European and Middle Eastern styles on the premises.

Other things I often don't have a choice with. The only place I can get the washing powder I use (UN and Vegan Soc sanctioned, enviromentally friendly stuff) is at a huge supermarket. They also have a much better supply of non dairy milks for when the urge takes me.

The irony is that my supermarket is better stocked in terms of health and veg food than my local health food shop is. - That ultimately leaves me little choice as the health food shop wont order in any other stuff, but it does turn up occaisionly in said supermarket.

i avoid them, unless absolutely necessary.

usually, i'll go into one to buy a bottle of water if there's no other near-by place.

I need them now -- cheap -- but I have a desire to grow all my own food and not need them.

Does everyone call Walmart and Kmart a supermarket? I call them retail stores. Supermarkets in my mind, sell predominantly food, some other convenience things too, but mostly food. May be a regional terminology thing for me, though.
yeah, i know there are walmarts (and maybe k-marts? but not target) that sell produce and stuff, so i guess those could be called supermarkets, but supermarkets are generally big chain grocery stores to me.

I try to avoid Super Walmart because of the chaos factor, but I am a fan of Super Target. I'm a single mom, with limited resources, and sadly, it's easier for me to buy the kids' socks, a box of cereal, and toilet paper all at once. What they're doing right, is catering to our hurried society.

What they're doing right, is catering to our hurried society. I love super target :o

But they must be doing something different in your area if they are catering to a hurried society because I remember I used to buy 3 or 4 things from Walmart a month (shampoo, conditioner, a loofah (NOT the sea sponge type) and hair gel or something) and I'd have to wait in a half hour line! That was the express isle! ****ing walmart....