What Are the Challenges Facing the Retail Trade in Supermarkets?

The retail trade in supermarkets is one of the vital sectors that plays a fundamental role in meeting the daily needs of consumers. However, this industry faces multiple challenges that affect its performance and success.

In this article, we will review the most prominent challenges facing supermarkets:

  1. Consumer Behavior Change: 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer behavior has changed significantly. In order to maintain consumer safety, many stores were forced to close, which led many buyers to shop through e-commerce platforms. This shift has resulted in a change in consumer purchasing behavior, as shoppers discovered positive aspects of online shopping that were not available in the traditional shopping experience, such as convenience, quick access to products, lower costs, and home delivery.

  1. The Presence of Alternatives: 

Today, food suppliers face strong competition from large central supermarkets due to their ability to meet a wide range of needs. Currently, society has become more aware of what it consumes, leading many consumers to turn to healthy foods and organic products. This shift has put pressure on food store owners to provide all customer needs at reasonable prices. Additionally, many people have started buying their daily necessities and food supplies from wholesale grocery stores, which offer a variety of fresh and refrigerated products at lower prices compared to traditional grocery stores.

  1. Grocery Applications: 

Many companies have shifted to online grocery sales, such as “Noon Daily” and “Amazon Fresh,” which allow consumers to shop whenever and wherever they want. These platforms also enable same-day delivery, as well as the option to purchase products in bulk without needing to visit the store in person, thus helping to reduce fuel expenses.

  1. Dark Stores: 

Dark stores are similar to traditional grocery stores, but they are not open to the public and do not interact directly with customers. Instead, they fulfill orders placed through mobile applications using the products stocked inside them. One of the key features of dark stores is their ability to deliver orders in record time, usually within 10 to 15 minutes, and they cover a larger delivery area compared to traditional grocery stores.

Keywords: supermarket, groceries, consumers, applications, customers, behavior.