Why are supermarkets called supermarkets?

Question

I really dont think they're that good

Answer 1

because some guy came up with the name

Answer 2

I call them grocery stores

Answer 3

cause these stores are invincible =)..yes they really are...

Answer 4

maybe because the are big?  

Answer 5

A traditional market has a number of vendor booths selling products.

The 'supermarket' combines all this under one roof with single cashier.

Answer 6

super as in big not great! Super- Market!

Answer 7

it's a reference to the *super-marketing* techniques they use.. how else would we have fallen for such BS?

Answer 8

Probably because "Really Really Really Big Markets" is too long !

Answer 9

Cause its where super heros shop ? Lol x*x

Answer 10

Because they sell more things than ordinary markets.

Answer 11

Because they are larger than the average store and cost just as much.

Oh, you can do your banking, get a vaccination, have your clothes dry cleaned, get a pedicure and make photo albums while you wait for your perscription to be filled.  

Wow, that really IS SUPER!

Sandy  :O)

Answer 12

Just like Duke said.....they have a bigger variety of things to buy....

Answer 13

A supermarket is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments. It is larger in size and has a wider selection than a traditional grocery store and it is smaller than a hypermarket or superstore.

Answer 14

I think in this case the word "Super" is referring to their size.  They are very large markets.

Answer 15

go l**k a goat  

Answer 16

They are simply larger collections or super groups of things to buy.

I like the term french hypermarchè better as it describes them better.

They aren't any better in fact I think they are worse than going to a shop that sells specific items. If you have time to go to a real butcher a real veg store and so on you'll get fresher goods. I know that at least at the veg store you'll get better prices too.



We have some here where you can do everything from buy  fresh veg to get your prescription filled and pick up clothes for your kids. Time is an important consideration for so many people.  

Answer 17

Before supermarkets, you went to the grocer, the butcher, the baker, all separately.  Or you went to various stands at a market.  The supermarket sold meat, baked goods, canned goods, produce -- all in one place!

Answer 18

super as in big

Instead of going to the local market to visit all the stalls (greengrocer etc) you go to a big market, all under one roof - supermarket

Answer 19

I agree, there is nothing super about them, its like fun size chocolate which its tiny, whats fun about that!?