Wednesday, 15 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Various factors like easy availability, time efficiency and the desire for status symbols are encouraging people to do their essential shopping from supermarkets instead of small retailers. Additionally, people find it less time-consuming to shop at supermarkets instead of walking around to various shops. Numerous small shop owners claimed that the emergence of supermarkets in the city has considerably affected their business.
Commenting on the trend of supermarkets, Dehradun-based supermarket owner Rajendra Yadav said people’s preferences for shopping essentials have changed. In the past, people had to visit multiple shops to purchase different items, but now they can find everything they need under one roof at supermarkets. The convenience of having easy access to all essential items has encouraged people to choose supermarkets over small retailers, he added.
Small shop owner in Doon, Vinod Pandey said, “The opening of supermarkets in the city has affected the business of many retailers like me. For the past five years, I have been running a small grocery shop in Doon. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic started, the demand for small shops has decreased as people now prefer going to supermarkets where they can find all their needs under one roof. Apart from this, status symbols are another reason people opt for supermarkets instead of going to small shops.”
A customer Sonu Gupta told this correspondent that when choosing between small shops and supermarkets, he prefers supermarkets. This is due to the convenience of finding everything in one place, rather than having to visit multiple shops. Further, supermarkets often offer discounts for certain purchase amounts, which can be attractive to customers like himself. He emphasised that the rise in the number of supermarkets has significantly reduced the burden of shopping for household essentials during busy times when everyone has less time.
