It seems to be no single answer whether it is better to shop in a small store or in a supermarket. There are some pros and cons of buying products in both of them.
Firstly, one you are a customer of a small, local shop, its owner probably knows you well. There is always a chance to talk to them, which is especially important for elderly people. They often feel lonely and long human interacions. On the other hand, there are plenty of clients who prefer not to chat with a shopping assistant and stay more anonymous.
Secondly, when you do your shopping in a small store, you may find more quality products, such as: carefully selected fresh fruit and vegetables. Owners of small shops usually cooperate with local farmers who produce food free of pesticides. However, the choice of products in a small shop can be relatively limited, and it may force a customer to purchase in a few other places.
In addition, small shops are usually open even on national holidays. Thanks to that, whenever you have forgotten to buy something, there is a possibility to get what you need. The problem is, goods available in small shops are usually more expensive than those sold in supermarkets.
When it comes to supermarkets, buying there can equal saving money. Prices of products offered in those kinds of shops are usually lower in comparison to small stores. It is due to the fact that supermarkets can offer their clients different loyalty programs or discounts. However, some special offers are availanle only after buying a huge number of certain producs, which makes people pay through the nose without even realizing it.
Moreover, the choice of products offered in supermarkets is much wider in comparison to small shops. However, the offered goods happen to be of low quality, for they are produced on a big scale.
What is more, supermarkets can offer much more than just food and detergents. Nowadays it is quite popular that right under the same roof where a supermarket operates, there are cafés, or even cinemas. Nevertheless, some clients admit that because of such a location, they tend to spend more money. According to that, they are triggered to go to a café or the cinema after doing shopping, and the other way round, they shop after having a coffee at the café or seeing a movie.
All in all, bying in small shops and supermarkets has some pros and cons. As an aware consumet, one must define which factors are important to them: creating bonds with new people, product prices and quality or leisure centers nearby, for both : a small shop and a supermarket offer us only some of them at once.
Glossary - słownictwo
pros and cons - zalety i wady
a customer - klient
an owner - właściciel
elderly people - starsi ludzie ( łagodniejsze określenie dla starych ludzi )
to long something - tęsknić za czymś, pragnąć czegoś
human interactions - interakcje międzyludzkie
plenty of ... - wiele ...
a store - sklep
to cooperate with somebody - współpracować z kimś
free of pesticides - wolne od pestycydów
to purchase - kupować
a national holiday - święto narodowe
to equal - równać się
loyalty programs - programy lojalnościowe
a discount - zniżka
to pay through the nose - przepłacać za coś, płacić dużo pieniędzy za coś
a detergent - detergent
a leisure center - centrum rozrywki