What is the difference between food and groceries

This is where it gets a little tricky—because supermarkets carry many of the same products as superstores , the next biggest fish in the food store chain, which are also sometimes referred to as hypermarkets. According to The Houston Chronicle , supermarkets and superstores both order inventory in bulk and usually belong to large chains, whereas grocery stores order products on an as-needed basis and are often independently owned.

Superstores, however, are significantly larger than either grocery stores or supermarkets, and they typically look more like warehouses. Knowing the correct store terms might not always matter in casual conversation, but it could affect your credit card rewards earnings. Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? In other words, both kinds of stores vary too much to make generalizations about which type costs more or less.

For example, grocery stores like Aldi and Lidl cost less on average than supermarkets like Walmart and Costco, while other grocery stores, including Trader Joe's, cost more than these popular supermarkets, according to the grocery edition of the Dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index RPI. The bottom line: Don't bank on a better deal from a retailer simply because it's a supermarket or grocery store.

Shop at the retailers that best fit your needs, and refer to our other budgeting strategies to save big bucks. Mary Claire Lagroue. By Mary Claire Lagroue August 04, Pin FB Share. Buying View Series. All rights reserved. Close this dialog window View image. Supermarkets may also be part of a huge chain system and may be closer to other supermarkets. Supermarkets closer together can save even more on costs by sharing distributors and slashing their transportation costs.

Supermarkets are usually one-level brick and mortar store but may also include two floors depending on the amount of supplies that are kept. The concept of an inexpensive food market that relies on discounts based on economies of scale was developed by Vincent Astor, who founded the Astor Market in but failed to be able to make a successful venture and shuttered it in The first self-service grocery store concept was developed by entrepreneur Clarence Saunders, who founded the Piggly Wiggly stores in The store become a financial success and become a franchise.

Slowly, the concept started becoming popular all over the world, with many developed countries establishing their own self-service grocery stores. In the developing countries, self-service grocery stores are a recent phenomenon and have received only gained popularity in the last decade or so.

Specifically in these countries, many supermarkets also offer loose or open merchandise similar to old grocery stores. People can measure out grains, rice and other staple products and buy it by weight.

Supermarkets have also started offering ready-to-eat foods as a way to provide the customer to shop as well as eat at the same time. Some supermarkets may also have banks, ATMs, coffee bar, juice bar and anything else that may attract customers. A grocery store is a store that sells food items to customers and nothing else. A grocery store is a small version of a supermarket that allows people to purchase dry food items, canned goods and exotic foods or spices from other countries.

Grocery stores were the place where people would purchase their food, fruits and vegetables before. Before the World War II, neighborhood grocery stores were the only place where people would purchase their groceries.

This all changed after the War, when supermarkets or self-service grocery stores started becoming a trend. Supermarket provided additional supplies such as wet groceries, ready-made food, cleaning supplies and other household items. A grocer, the owner of the grocery store, would stock the store with exotic as well as local supplies. He would also employ young store hands that would help in bagging groceries, taking groceries out and delivering them.