Supermarket
Japanese Name:
スーパーマーケット
Romaji Name:
supaamakeeto
Description
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A supermarket is a large store where people can buy many kinds of goods in one place. It sells food like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread, as well as drinks, household items, and daily necessities. Customers pick up what they need in baskets or carts and pay at the checkout. Supermarkets are convenient because they offer many products at once.
History
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Historical Background:
The concept of the supermarket emerged in the early 20th century. The first true supermarket is often credited to King Kullen, which opened in 1930 in New York, USA. However, earlier forms of self-service grocery stores, like Piggly Wiggly (founded in 1916), laid the foundation for the model.
Supermarkets revolutionized retail by allowing customers to choose products themselves without relying on clerks, lowering prices through bulk sales and efficient logistics.
Global Expansion:
The supermarket model spread worldwide after World War II, including to Japan, where it gained popularity during the country’s postwar economic boom. Today, supermarkets are an essential part of modern life, found in cities and towns around the globe.
Modern Development:
Supermarkets have continued to evolve, with innovations like barcode scanning, online shopping, self-checkout, and global food supply chains.