Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Supermarkets - Eventually be a thing of the past?

69 replies

Oreyt · 12/11/2024 07:58

Do you think at some time (however many years) they will become obsolete like the high street bakers and fruit shops?

Maybe places like McDonald's and Costa will too?

OP posts:
Pat888 · 12/11/2024 09:26

I think we should go back to a version of food being behind a counter to beat the shoplifters - ‘four candles’ Anyone?

Snorlaxo · 12/11/2024 09:31

I think that supermarkets will offer more services although I can’t think of specific ones that aren’t offered atm like optician, barber, locksmith…

Lots of people genuinely enjoy browsing daily eg office workers and students wanting meal deals and are more affordable than corner shops for snacks or one off emergency purchases like formula.

ADifferentPathAuDHD · 12/11/2024 09:34

I suspect it will all be Ocado-style in the future. It cuts down on shoplifting and the food can be kept in countryside warehouses without the need to own vast swathes of land in cities. Tesco already seems ridiculously big when compared to the compact, quick-to-shop Aldi or Lidl and has way more staff and upkeep. So my prediction is Aldi/Lidl most places competing against online supermarkets.

Webbb · 12/11/2024 09:50

My nearest Asda, Tesco and Sainsburys have all started to have other shops within them. Argos, Cinnabon, Bubble tea, The Works, etc

GiantHornets · 12/11/2024 09:56

Pat888 · 12/11/2024 09:26

I think we should go back to a version of food being behind a counter to beat the shoplifters - ‘four candles’ Anyone?

My friend in the USA says shops are like this - all the goods in locked cabinets and you have to ask for what you want.
Just like when supermarkets first opened here; I remember queuing with my mum at the meat counter and then the cheese counter etc. It would certainly cut down the shop thefts

ElBandito · 12/11/2024 10:18

OriginalUsername2 · 12/11/2024 09:16

That’s so surprising! Why is that?

Only 10%ish shop online only and 50% in store only so 40% hybrid.
I think since cost of living crisis a lot of people buy more in bulk where they can save money etc. If you are living day to day with little money you can't buy in bulk, you just go get what you can afford at that moment.

If you are broke you might not be able to afford delivery. People shop around more so they can't afford delivery passes at lots of different supermarkets.

You don't get yellow sticker items online.

Supermarkets probably don't want you to go for total home delivery either. If I do a shop online I'm far less likely to get tempted by impulse buys, I just go down my favourites list buying the same stuff.

i think I was a bit wrong on the more people shopping every day, that might be more of a city thing, but it is why the supermarkets have been setting up more small shops in towns.

KnopkaPixie · 12/11/2024 10:33

Well, we certainly didn't come out of lockdown and the covid years how I thought we would, shopping wise. I confidently predicted that at least 75% of people would stick to online ordering and that there would only be self service checkouts in the ghost supermarkets that survived.

Turns out that we're sociable and sensory creatures and still enjoy a good bust up in the car park before going off to poke finger marks in the fruit and furtle the meat counter for the longest date stamps and the choppiest chops.

Then we can impulse buy some crap and enjoy the slight social anxiety frisson with fellow customers and the cashier on the way out.

ExquisiteIyDesigned · 12/11/2024 11:12

KnopkaPixie · 12/11/2024 10:33

Well, we certainly didn't come out of lockdown and the covid years how I thought we would, shopping wise. I confidently predicted that at least 75% of people would stick to online ordering and that there would only be self service checkouts in the ghost supermarkets that survived.

Turns out that we're sociable and sensory creatures and still enjoy a good bust up in the car park before going off to poke finger marks in the fruit and furtle the meat counter for the longest date stamps and the choppiest chops.

Then we can impulse buy some crap and enjoy the slight social anxiety frisson with fellow customers and the cashier on the way out.

We didn't even do online ordering during covid, it was a rare chance to actually get out of the house and mingle (at a distance) with other people. Having to do it under such restrictions has made me appreciate in-person shopping even more.

taxguru · 12/11/2024 11:20

Nope. Can't see them disappearing. Online shopping is only really suitable for people wanting "commodity" items like packets of cornflakes, washing powder, bags of crisps, bottles of drink, frozen foods, etc. It's not suitable for those wanting anything fresh like fruit & veg, joints of meat, fresh fish, and other perishables as there's no quality control re use by dates, quality, etc. I get my "cupboard" items delivered about once a month, and do a proper shop for perishables twice a week. On the few occasions I've tried ordering fruit & veg or a joint of meat online, I've had to reject and send them back with the driver as they'd not be what I'd pick - i.e. joint of meat that was 75% fat whereas I look for and choose ones that are leaner.

Online deliveries are less convenient as you have to commit to being in to take delivery. Going to shops can be at your convenience so easier to work around unexpected things like being delayed at work, or if you've forgotten you have to take/collect a kid from a friend etc.

They'll evolve, as retail has evolved for a couple of centuries. The "supermarket" of 25 years' time may look very different, may sell a different mix/range of products, almost certainly called something different, maybe in a different location, but ultimately, they'll still be fundamentally similar to what we have today.

queenofarles · 12/11/2024 12:13

Hate hate online shopping ! never use it for fresh produce.

StamppotAndGravy · 12/11/2024 12:18

I live in a 15 minute city. I have 9 supermarkets within a 20 minute walk but they're all much smaller than the average UK one. If we want something bulky we order on line, but otherwise most people here shop most days. It's part of working from home and better work life balance. The number of bakeries, cheese shops and butchers are actually increasing in my neighbourhood precisely because people go to the shop and walk past. General homewear stores are vanishing really fast though because they can't compete with next day amazon.

Chowtime · 12/11/2024 12:20

I think you're right.

It's clear to me that supermarkets don't actually want you to be there - they just want you to click and collect and go.

With the cost of employing people plus what they lose in shoplifting, the margins are probably really low, almost not worth doing.

Almostwelsh · 12/11/2024 12:25

I think the giant out of town supermarkets are on their way out now or they are setting up shops within them - opticians, Argos. People will order bulky items online and then top-up at a smaller supermarket for fresh items.

Poorer people who can't buy in bulk have never used the giant out of town supermarkets, as they can't access them easily without a car

KnopkaPixie · 12/11/2024 12:38

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0969698921000618#:~:text=Impulsive%20purchasing%20is%20quite%20common,et%20al.%2C%202013

From Science Direct.

About impulsive purchasing which, I believe must be the main reason for keeping in store supermarket and grocery store shopping going. They quote figures like 'up to' 62% is impulse buying with 'up to' 80% in some product lines.

I don't like the term 'up to' - seems a bit vague but I can believe those high percentages - yellow sticker would be counted as an impulse buy, wouldn't it?

stayathomer · 12/11/2024 12:46

in Ireland more and more people are going to a till operator instead of self service and actually they’re taking them out of some shops! I hope shops never go, firstly I’m a retail worker, secondly there is nothing like the chat and socialising you get in a supermarket!!

Oreyt · 12/11/2024 12:49

@taxguru

It's not suitable for those wanting anything fresh like fruit & veg, joints of meat, fresh fish, and other perishables as there's no quality control re use by dates, quality, etc.

Of course you can. Plenty of companies specialise in this or you can order it all together with places like go fresh.

OP posts:
Hearthy · 12/11/2024 12:51

God I hope they don't disappear before I die (mid 40s). I hope to god we're not in a cashless society living in those bloody 15 minute cities before I die either. The future looks shite frankly.

Oreyt · 12/11/2024 12:52

I've just had a delivery of Aunt Bessie's Puddings and Stuffing and some potatoes to make roast potatoes with later. Ordered and delivered within 30 minutes. I don't have "money to waste" but don't get out much. I can see why people prefer the shops. My husband won't order food online but I'm so grateful for the services.

OP posts:
Oreyt · 12/11/2024 12:53

Hearthy · 12/11/2024 12:51

God I hope they don't disappear before I die (mid 40s). I hope to god we're not in a cashless society living in those bloody 15 minute cities before I die either. The future looks shite frankly.

Edited

lol no I meant 60 - 90 years plus.

OP posts:
mewkins · 12/11/2024 12:58

Most people I know still shop in supermarkets either as a main shop or for top ups. It's where I bump into most of my friends. Only a few families on my road get supermarket deliveries.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 12/11/2024 12:58

Oreyt · 12/11/2024 12:49

@taxguru

It's not suitable for those wanting anything fresh like fruit & veg, joints of meat, fresh fish, and other perishables as there's no quality control re use by dates, quality, etc.

Of course you can. Plenty of companies specialise in this or you can order it all together with places like go fresh.

I have seen the pickers, no way am I trusting an 18 year old to choose the best fruit and veg.

Relata · 12/11/2024 13:07

I do pretty much all my shopping via click and collect or delivery, it’s pretty rare that I’m not happy with the fruit or veg picked.

ExquisiteIyDesigned · 12/11/2024 13:12

Oreyt · 12/11/2024 12:52

I've just had a delivery of Aunt Bessie's Puddings and Stuffing and some potatoes to make roast potatoes with later. Ordered and delivered within 30 minutes. I don't have "money to waste" but don't get out much. I can see why people prefer the shops. My husband won't order food online but I'm so grateful for the services.

It's great that we have the choice though. I live within 10 mins walk of 3 supermarkets, work within 10 mins walk of two more and drive past several others in between so it is always easy to go in-person (there's no deliveroo where I live either so no quick option for delivery), but I appreciate that's not the case for everyone.

mitogoshigg · 12/11/2024 13:23

No because people will always want to fetch things at short notice. What will disappear is things like white goods etc that you only buy occasionally

mitogoshigg · 12/11/2024 13:25

I should add I go in person most days for food, I don't get online shopping, you can't check quality and I don't know what I want in advance