Grocery store

grocery store (AE), grocery shop (BE) or simply grocery^[1] is a retail store that primarily retails a general range of food products,^[2] which may be fresh or packaged. In everyday U.S. usage, however, "grocery store" is a synonym for supermarket,^[3] and is not used to refer to other types of stores that sell groceries. In the UK, shops that sell food are distinguished as grocers^[3] or grocery shops (though in everyday use, people usually use either the term "supermarket" or a "corner shop".)

Larger types of stores that sell groceries, such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, usually stock significant amounts of non-food products, such as clothing and household items. Small grocery stores that sell mainly fruit and vegetables are known as greengrocers (Britain) or produce markets (U.S.), and small grocery stores that predominantly sell prepared food, such as candy and snacks, are known as convenience shops or delicatessens.^{[citation needed]}

Definition

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The definition of "grocery store" varies; U.S. and Canadian official definitions of "grocery store" exclude some businesses that sell groceries, such as convenience stores.

United States

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In the United States,

• the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a grocery store as "a store that sells food and household supplies : supermarket". In other words, in common U.S. usage, "grocery store" is a synonym for supermarket.^[4] The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the term "grocery store" in American English is often used to mean "supermarket".^[3]
• the U.S. and Canadian governments have a wider definition of grocery stores, not limiting them to supermarkets. The category of business (NAICS code 4551) "Grocery stores" is defined as "primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food products",^[2] and the subcategory (NAICS code 455110), "Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores" is defined as "establishments generally known as supermarkets and grocery stores, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; and fresh and prepared meats, fish, and poultry. Included in this industry are delicatessen-type establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food.

United Kingdom

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In the United Kingdom, terms in common usage include "supermarket" (for larger grocery stores), "corner shop",^[5] "convenience shop", or "grocery" (meaning a grocery shop) for smaller stores. "Grocery store", being a North American term, is not used. The Oxford English Dictionary states that a "grocery" is (especially in British English) a shop that sells food and other things used in the home.^[3]

The UK government does not define "grocery (shop)" or "supermarket" nor a distinction between them, but defines the types of store formats (whether they sell groceries, or otherwise):^[6]

• "One-stop shops" as over 1,400 square metres (15,000 square feet)
• "Mid-range stores": between 280 and 1,400 square metres (3,000 and 15,000 square feet), and
• "Convenience stores": less than 280 square metres (3,000 square feet)

India