Where do you go when you need to grab a few groceries or simple household items like paper towels? Do you visit the nearest supermarket or head over to your local convenience store? These two shops are often spoken about interchangeably, but they’re very different.
The fundamental difference between a supermarket and a convenience store is the types of food they sell. Supermarkets offer a wider variety and more fresh foods, including produce and meats. Convenience stores typically only sell pre-packaged items, with maybe a couple of simple fruits like apples or bananas on display near the check-out area.
Knowing the difference between a supermarket and a convenience store is helpful when you desperately need a few groceries and don’t want to make multiple stops. We’ll discuss the various differences between supermarkets and convenience stores so you always know where to go for what!
What Is a Supermarket?
A supermarket is a large self-service shop offering a wide variety of products. Supermarkets typically have a variety of pre-packaged food, produce, meats, and dairy products, all arranged into sections.
You’ll also find other household products at supermarkets, including paper goods, housewares, cleaning products, pet supplies, and pharmacy products. Some supermarkets have even more sections and sell clothes, electronics, gardening products, and more.
Supermarkets don’t always carry the same products. Some stick with a simple combination of food and beverage products, housewares, cleaners, and pharmacy products. Others have all the sections we mentioned above and a bakery, deli, hot food or salad bar, and more.
What Is A Convenience Store?
Convenience stores are similar to supermarkets but with fewer sections and on a much smaller scale. These stores are also self-service and often have a smaller variety of products than a supermarket.
You’ll find plenty of pre-packaged goods at convenience stores, along with a few simple paper goods, cleaning products, over-the-counter medications, tobacco products, and possibly some other items.
Most convenience stores have extended hours and are located in very convenient areas. The majority of gas stations have a convenience store attached that sells all the above, along with some other items those visiting a gas station might need, like oil or windshield washer fluid.
What’s the Difference Between Supermarkets and Convenience Stores?
There are actually several differences between supermarkets and convenience stores. We’re going to break down what makes supermarkets different from convenience stores by talking about the products each store offers, their typical hours of operation, and their locations.
Supermarket vs Convenience Store Products
We already discussed some of the products supermarkets and convenience stores typically offer, but here’s a detailed table showing their differences more clearly.
| Product: | Supermarket | Convenience Store |
| Pre-packaged Food | Yes | Yes |
| Beverages | Yes | Yes |
| Alcohol | Yes* | Yes* |
| Produce | Yes | Some |
| Meat | Yes | No |
| Deli/Bakery | Yes | No |
| Pet Supplies | Yes | Some |
| Paper Products | Yes | Some |
| Cleaning Products | Yes | Some |
| Tobacco | Sometimes | Yes |
| Housewares | Yes | Some |
| Clothes/Electronics | Sometimes | Sometimes, very minimally |
| Pharmacy | Yes | No |
| Over-the-counter Medications | Yes | Some |
*Depends on state laws
As you can see, supermarkets sell a larger variety of products than a convenience store. Some of the products mentioned, like pet supplies or paper products, are sold in convenience stores but with far less variety.
The major difference between these shops is supermarkets are designed for people who need to do a full shop, while convenience stores are designed for people who just need to grab a couple of essentials.
Supermarket vs Convenience Store Hours
Supermarkets usually have more limited hours than convenience stores. It’s common for supermarkets to open between 6-8 am and close around 8-10 pm. Many convenience stores open much earlier and close much later.
Some supermarkets are 24 hours, but this is very uncommon. It’s much more common for a convenience store to be open 24 hours, especially those connected to gas stations.
Supermarket vs Convenience Store Locations
Convenience stores are meant to be convenient! You’ll find several small convenience stores scattered throughout a town, and there may only be one or two supermarkets in the same area.
You’ll mostly see convenience stores attached to gas stations or on busy street corners. Supermarkets are more likely to be found in strip malls or on a street with several other large businesses and restaurants.
Comparison Questions (Supermarket vs Convenience Store):
Are Convenience Stores More Expensive Than Supermarkets?
It’s not unusual for convenience stores to be more expensive than supermarkets. Some products might be priced the same, like a single bottle of soda or a pre-packed single-serving dessert, but you can expect the prices of everything else to be higher at convenience stores.
Supermarkets can charge less for their products because they buy in bulk. It’s the same reason you pay less for a 24-pack of toilet paper than a 6-pack. Convenience stores buy much smaller quantities of products, so they aren’t getting the bulk discounts supermarkets are from suppliers, and therefore need to charge more in order to make a profit.
Is Food From A Supermarket Fresher Than From A Convenience Store?
Food tends to sell more quickly at supermarkets because they’re catering to a much larger customer base. This allows supermarkets to replenish their items more frequently, so you’re likely to get fresher food from a supermarket than a convenience store.
However, convenience stores aren’t allowed to sell anything expired or out of code. It’s a legal and liability issue. So, even though the food at the supermarket is technically fresher, you’ll still get fresh food at a convenience store.
Should You Buy Produce From A Supermarket or Convenience Store?
You can buy some produce at convenience stores, but supermarkets will offer you a much wider variety. If you happen to be in a convenience store and get a craving for an apple or banana, then you’ll almost always be able to grab one.
Anything more than that isn’t likely to be found at a convenience store. Most convenience stores don’t sell any vegetables at all, so you’ll need to head to a supermarket for that.
Also check out my related articles about convenience stores vs grocery stores article here or my grocery store vs supermarket article here.
Related Questions:
What Are The Most Popular Convenience Stores?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘convenience store,’ then you might not realize which stores in your town fall into this category. Convenience stores are often attached to gas stations, so your local Mobile or Shell likely has a convenience store.
Other popular convenience stores include 7-Eleven, Casey’s General Stores, BP America, and Speedway.
What Are The Most Popular Supermarkets?
Supermarkets aren’t the same as grocery stores, so you may think your local Whole Foods is a supermarket, but it’s actually a grocery store! Popular supermarket chains are easily recognizable by their expansive floor plan and multiple categories.
Here are some of the most popular supermarkets in the US:
- Stop & Shop
- Hy-Vee
- Big Y
- Shoprite
- Meijer
- Price Chopper
These chains have multiple stores throughout the US that sell food & beverages, housewares, cleaning products, pharmacy/over-the-counter medications, pet supplies, and more.
Hypermarket vs Supermarket
Hypermarkets like Fred Meyer, Walmart Supercenter, and Super Kmart look very similar to supermarkets. They often sell many of the same products, have the same hours, and are situated in similar locations.
The difference lies in their price points. Supermarkets offer a wide variety of products for an average market price. Hypermarkets also offer an extensive selection of products, but they focus more on offering discounted rates.
Both stores can be a one-stop shopping experience, but you’ll find high-end brands at supermarkets and lower price points at hypermarkets.
The Verdict– What’s the Difference?
The main difference between supermarkets and convenience stores is the volume and variety of products they sell. Both shops sell food and beverages, paper goods, cleaners, and various household products. However, supermarkets sell a much wider variety of these products and also include sections like bakeries and delis that convenience stores don’t offer.
If you need to do a full shopping trip, then head to your nearest supermarket. However, if you just need to pick up a couple of things and don’t mind paying a little extra, then your nearest convenience store is a great option.