question_answer

Explain the meaning, features, advantages and disadvantages of super market.

Answer:

Ans.     Super market is nothing but a retail organization providing food and household articles to consumer under one roof without any kind of sales pressure from salesmen and sale assistants. The United States of America (USA) is said to be the homeland of super markets.

In India, Apna Bazaar, Sahakari Bhandar, etc., are some good examples of super markets or super bazaars.

According to Dictionary of Business and Finance, Supermarket is defined as, "Large store selling a wide variety of consumer goods, particularly food and small articles of household requirements."

Features of Super market

The characteristics or features of the super market are as follows:

1. Centrally located in big premises: Super markets are normally opened in a central locality where ample space is available. It is housed in big premises. Without such premises proper display of different goods cannot be arranged.

2. No sales pressure: One important feature of a super market is self-service. There is a complete absence of salesmen and sales assistants. Thus, there is no sales pressure of any kind. Customers can make a selection according to their needs and desires.

3. Maintains low prices: The prices of goods in the super markets are reasonable or low. This is because they (companies running super markets) buy in bulk and enjoy all the advantages of bulk buying. Similarly, their salary bill is low due to the absence of salesmen and sales assistants.

4. Sell goods on a cash basis: Super markets sell goods on 'Cash and carry basis' In such a kind of a business, credit facilities are usually not offered. This reduces bad debts.

5. Deals in necessaries of life: Super market deals in commodities, which are required regularly. Thus, they deal in tinned products of well-known brands, groceries and provision, readymade garments, fruits, etc. The turn over is quick as the demand for the necessaries of life is a continuous one.

6. Established by companies: Super markets are retailing shops, which are large in size. They do business on a large scale and require huge financial resources. Hence, they are normally established by Joint-stock companies.

7. Deals in pre-packed goods: Super market normally deals in pre-packed goods or products. It uses latest and up-to-date packing material to protect quality and quantity. On all packages, prices, weights, particulars of goods, grade and quality are specified.

8. Needs huge capital to operate: Super market is a large retail trading organization. It requires a substantial amount of capital for big premises, huge warehousing, ample parking and stocking of a wide variety of commodities.

9. Self-service store: Customers are given attractive trolleys or hand baskets or bags for keeping goods which they want to buy. Goods are systematically arranged and beautifully displayed. Customers select these goods and keep them in the trolley.

Finally, they have to come to the billing section for making payment and then delivery is given at the delivery counter.

Advantages of Super Market

1. Saving in labour cost due to self-service system.

2. Super market has large turn over.

3. Reasonable or low prices of goods.

4. Low cost of operation.

5. Freedom of selection.

6. Shopping is very easy and quick.

7. Due to adequate parking space, shopping becomes easy and pleasing activity rather then boredom.

8. High degree of efficiency due to elimination of service.

9. High margin of profit to organisers.

10. Advantages of large scale operations.

Disadvantages of Super Market

The disadvantages of a super market or Super Bazaar are as follows:

1. Super market requires huge financial resource.

2. It is normally situated at a long distance from the residential localities.

3. There is lack of personal attention.

4. Super market does not provide various services such as free home delivery, personal guidance, credit facility and extensive premises.

5. It faces the problem o1' co-ordinating activities of various sections of the market.

6. It requires explanation by salesmen cannot be sold in such markets.

7. Goods which require explanation by salesmen cannot be sold in such markets.