Supermarket vs Market: Difference and Comparison

What are the main differences between supermarkets and markets (supermarket vs market)?

Let’s talk about the common differences between supermarkets and markets.

The English dictionary defines the noun “supermarket” as a large self-service store that sells groceries, usually household goods, medications, and clothing. On the other hand, the word “market” is a square or other fairly spacious site where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the merchandise.

Supermarket as a word was first used in the 1930s. It’s a place that is quite different from the local market where people meet together for the purpose of trade.

Unlike markets, supermarkets have a system of arranging goods and you will always find staff employed to help customers one way or the other.

In markets, each stall’s display depends on the owner and payments are made to each trader from which any goods were purchased. People prefer going to supermarkets these days but the local markets have always been there and will continue to sell goods to customers.

What Is a Supermarket?

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a supermarket is a self-service retail market that sells especially foods and household merchandise. It’s a store that offers a variety of foods and essential household items.

Supermarkets are a one-stop shop for everything ranging from groceries, household goods, clothing, medications, etc. It’s typically a chain store owned and operated by corporations.

Goods at the supermarket usually have price tags and they are arranged in an orderly manner to enable customers to locate each item. Inside supermarkets, it’s common to find ready-to-eat foods. Customers shopping at the supermarket sometimes eat up some snacks before checking out at the counter.

Supermarkets have technological facilities alongside staff working on shifts to ensure the business is open for customers.

Generally, supermarkets receive goods and merchandise in large quantities from manufacturers or large distributors. Supermarkets usually offer low prices on their goods. They entice customers with many deals and discounts on their products.

Recently built supermarkets are designed uniquely to provide easy services to customers. When you walk into a supermarket, you will find an ATM or even a bank.

Supermarkets are well-organized to serve the purpose of satisfying customers. They are known for their organized layout, wide aisles, and bright lighting all over each department.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “supermarket” was first used in 1931.

Also Read: Consumer Market vs Business Market: Difference and Comparison

What Is a Market?

The word “market” has different meanings in English but we are only looking at the common definition of the word. Market, according to the English dictionary is a square or other fairly spacious site where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the merchandise.

This is the physical location for trade between sellers and buyers. Supermarkets only came into existence decades ago, but we can trace back millennia to look at evidence of the earliest markers where trades were made between buyers and sellers.

Most people prefer and rely on supermarkets to purchase food or household goods. The market is also a place where you can purchase groceries, medications, and household goods.

They can be found in urban and rural areas in open spaces usually with no bright lighting as you would expect in a supermarket. A lot of things are sold in these open spaces.

From groceries, and medications, to household goods, there is so much you can buy in a market. Some local markets even sell seafood in a variety, unlike what you would find in a supermarket.

The atmosphere in a supermarket is quite different from that of a market. In markets, you find colourful stalls and everyone selling is usually shouting to attract customers to their business.

Vendors at the market sell fresh produce, meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, cooking oil, handmade crafts, etc.

Markets are not like supermarkets where customers can walk in, pack up their groceries in a shopping cart and head to the counter to make payment. In markets, payments are made to each vendor.

This shows the difference between a market vs a supermarket.

Etymology

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “market” is from Middle English, from Continental Germanic akin to Old Saxon “market” marketplace.

The word “market” was first used in the 12^th century.

Also Read: Bar vs Pub: Difference and Comparison

Supermarket vs Market: Difference between Supermarket and Market

We will look at the major differences between a supermarket and a market.

Both supermarkets and markets sell groceries and household goods we need in our homes.

Pricing Goods

One of the differences between a supermarket vs a market is the opportunity to negotiate for price.

The prices of goods at supermarkets are fixed and customers cannot negotiate on the price of any item. Those shopping at the supermarket can only enjoy low prices on goods on discount or on special deals.

In contrast, the buyers at the market can negotiate on price of goods with their vendors. Vendors at the market are known to have special customers that always buy from them.

Both the vendor and the customer will agree on a price that will be beneficial for the business.

Scale

In supermarkets, there is a system of arranging products, while each vendor at the market has a different stall display.

Supermarkets have technological facilities alongside staff working by shifts to ensure the business is open for customers. This is something you won’t find in the market.

Markets are not self-service grocery stores with staff and technological facilities to satisfy customers.

Traders at the market also sell goods in large quantities supplied by manufacturers and large distributors.

Also Read: Bar vs Club: Difference and Comparison

Product Quality

When it comes to packing goods, supermarkets are very good at it. They package fruits, vegetables, and meat in an orderly manner. You don’t get that kind of packing when you buy these items from the market.

People prefer to buy their groceries from a supermarket because they have a clear origin. Their storage system is better and keeps food fresh for days.

Traders at the market buy their agricultural products directly from farmers. The farm produce in the market is fresher than those sold at supermarkets.

Supermarket vs Market: Comparison Chart

	Supermarket	Market
Definition	The variety of goods sold at the market depends on the type. Goods are sold based on the type of the market.	A square or other fairly spacious site where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the merchandise.
Size	Large in size, from medium to very large	May vary in size, from large open spaces with buildings and stalls.
Ownership	Owned by corporations or larger business entities.	Owned by municipalities, small business owners or traders.
Variety	A wide range of products, from fresh produce, clothes, household goods, medications, appliances, etc.	The variety of goods sold at the market depends on the type. Goods are sold based on the type of the market.
Pricing	Fixed prices that are non-negotiable.	Customers can negotiate prices with vendors.

Also Read: Postal Code vs Zip Code: Difference and Comparison

Conclusion

There are many differences between a supermarket vs market. From pricing to product quality, and scale, it’s a different atmosphere shopping at a supermarket and a market.

Recommendations

References

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: market
StudyMode: differences between supermarket and market