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Grocerystores

A grocerystore is a store established
primarily for the retailing of food.

A grocer, the owner of a grocerystore, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells them to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are called supermarkets.

Small grocery stores that mainly sell fruits and vegetables are known as produce markets (U.S) or greengrocers (Britain), and small grocery stores that predominantly sell snack foods and sandwiches are known as convenience stores or delicatessens.

The first grocerystores were set up as trading posts, which sold not only food but clothing, household items, tools, furniture, and other miscellaneous merchandise. These trading posts evolved into larger retail businesses known as general stores. Modern grocers-like supermarkets, greengrocers, and convenience stores-are descended from general stores. Many rural areas still contain general stores which sell goods from indigenous cigars to imported napkins. In certain places, these may also handle goods deemed illegal by the local authority. These stores normally offer credit facility, a system of payment which works on trust rather than current day credit cards.

American grocery stores are set up in different styles ranging from rural family-owned, such as IGAs, to urban or suburban boutique chains, such as Whole Foods Market.

The establishment of "all-in-one" retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target has forced consolidation among the grocery business. The global buying power of such companies has put an increased financial burden on traditional grocery stores as well as the national supermarket chains.

When a small grocery store is in competition with large supermarkets, the grocery store often creates its own niche market by selling unique, premium quality, or traditional foods that cannot be easily found in a supermarket. A grocery store may also compete by being located in a mixed commercial-residential area that is close to, and convenient for, its customers.

Some local grocers distinguish themselves from larger supermarkets by providing ready-made foods such as sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream. Although large chains have begun to add food service, smaller grocery stores have an advantage in that they can generally provide fresher and cheaper prepared foods, and a more peaceful environment in which to eat them.

Some notable grocery stores include ALDI, Herbie's ,Sainsbury's, Tesco, Fred Meyer, Loeb, Loblaws, IGA, The Big Apple, Ray's Grocery & Market, Farm Boy, H-E-B, Cumberland Farms, Save-a-Lot, Save-On-Foods, Brookshire Grocery Company, Kroger, Bi-Lo, Piggly Wiggly, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Safeway, Schnucks, QFC, Stewart's Shops, Stop & Shop,Shoprite, AP Fresh, Trader Joe's, Pathmark, Key Food, A&P, ACME, Publix, Food Lion, Delhaize, Waldbaum's, Wegmans, Haggen, Reasor's Grocery, ASDA, Morrisons, Winn-Dixie, Somerfield, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Meijer, Fresh Market, Smith's, Von, Ralph's, and Sobeys.

Source: Wikipedia