Hypermarket – Definition, what it is and concept

A hypermarket is a self-service establishment where retail products are sold, and whose surface area exceeds 2500 square meters.

In this type of establishments, consumers can choose the products they want, and include them in their shopping carts. At the end, there is a cashier service where they can pay for the purchase that has been made.

The first hypermarket, as it is known today, was carried out by Carrefour in 1963 in Paris.

Since then, and due to its proper functioning it has spread to the rest of the countries at a dizzying speed.

They are usually located on the outskirts of cities, and also have a large space dedicated to parking.

Highlights of hypermarkets

These are the following:

  • They have an optimal location for consumers to be in areas easily accessible through roads, roads, and means of transport.
  • They have a large area divided into the establishment itself, and in large car parks to facilitate access and stay for users.
  • They offer very competitive prices, promotions and discounts that are in great demand for the public.
  • They sell a wide variety of products: food, textiles, home, sports, among others.
  • There is a specialized seller in each section to offer personalized information on each product. This makes it easy to make the process simple, and to be able to buy items in an efficient way with detailed information about them, as well as resolve any questions that arise during the purchase period.
  • The self-consumption favors that the users can go making their purchases in a relaxed way, and have access to all the articles to be able to value, buy, and choose the most appropriate one according to their needs.
  • There are numerous advertising campaigns dedicated to promoting consumption in these establishments, and publicizing the many advantages and offers that exist in them.

Difference and similarities between a supermarket and a hypermarket

The main ones are the following:

  • A Supermarket, is an establishment with a surface area less than or equal to 2500 square meters, while the hyper-store has that area, or a larger area.
  • The hypermarket, is usually installed in peripheral areas, and has large parking lots, but a supermarket can be found in central areas of the urban center, and does not have the large areas that hypermarkets have.
  • Both offer retail products.

A hypermarket usually has great advantages for users as it is accessible, and has affordable prices for the general public. It is common to see several offers such as sales of 3 × 2 products in food where the user can take three products, and pay only two. However, for entrepreneurs it is still a great investment because it also involves including a large turnover of products on a regular basis.

On the other hand, it must also be taken into account that it requires a series of licenses that must be approved by the institutions so that they can be established in the planned areas so that these large-scale centers are open to the public.