Grocery stores are shrinking

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Sep 16th 2008 3:50PM

Over the last few decades, you've probably noticed a shift in your supermarket options. The small-family-run grocery stores of 20 years ago are gone, replaced by sprawling, mall-sized mega-stores carrying a mind-boggling selection of products. But according to the New York Times, expect to see a shift backwards.

That's right, smaller stores are making a comeback, with big names like Safeway, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart opening smaller stores throughout North America. The idea here is convenience -- shoppers wishing to quickly pick up a few items for that night's dinner can do so at a smaller supermarket without having to wander the aisles for hours to find what they're looking for or pay exorbitant prices at a convenience store.

As long as the limited selection is healthy, I think this is a great idea -- I can't stand heading to a big grocery store when all I need is one or two things. Your thoughts?

(via CalorieLab)

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

laura 9-16-2008 @ 5:48PM

I don't want to drive 20-30 minutes to get to the stores that have the products I want. I prefer the larger stores so that I can get exactly what I need without having to settle for a substitute. If people plan properly, there shouldn't be any need to waste their money at a convenience store. They should go to the grocery store 1-4 times a month and purchase everthing they need all at once to save time and gasoline. Speaking of gasoline, why would you give the oil companies even MORE money by buying items in the convenience stores? They are already robbing us blind. We're forced to buy gas from them, but we shouldn't have to EVER buy anything else in their little stores. Alcohol, ice, cigarettes (God forbid), milk or any other items can be purchased in grocery stores for a lot less money. So save your wallet, and don't keep giving all your cash to the oil tycoons.

julie 9-16-2008 @ 7:38PM

I bike to the grocery 2-3 times a week, and drive once weekly to the farmer's market. Little grocery stores are just great, I know exactly what I need and where it is, and don't have to look through a bunch of worthless unhealthy crap, or stand in line for 20 minutes.

susan 9-16-2008 @ 8:41PM

In contrary I hate going to the smaller grocery stores only to find out they only have half the products I need or half the products that were listed for sale in their fliers. It just means I either dont end up getting a lot of the foods I wanted or I have to make yet another trip for everything this store didnt have. Id rather make one trip and be assured that everything i wanted/needed was actually going to be there. Plus i have noticed the smaller stores tend to have a bit higher prices, even higher than the bigger store of the exact same company.

Stephanie 9-18-2008 @ 10:01AM

My boyfriend and I buy all of our produce at one of the two local farmer's markets (both within walking distance!) It's well worth the effort, on many levels.

1. We get the excercise walking to and from the store!

2. The produce is SO much cheaper, since it's locally grown.

3. SINCE it's locally grown, it's a million times better - healthier AND tastier.

I would love to see small grocery stores. Ones with a butcher, MAYBE a bakery, some good produce, and most other items (no specialty items) EXCLUDING the soda/chips/snacks aisle.