Question:
Explain the meaning, features, advantages and disadvantages of super market.
Answer:
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, ready made garments, fruits, etc. The turn over is quick as the demand for the necessaries of life is a continuous one.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Saving in labour cost due to self-service system.
- Super market has large turn over.
- Reasonable or low prices of goods.
- Low cost of operation.
- Freedom of selection.
- Shopping is very easy and quick.
- Due to adequate parking space, shopping becomes easy and pleasing activity rather than boredom.
- High degree of efficiency due to elimination of service.
- High margin of profit to organisers.
- Advantages of large scale operations.
Disadvantages of Super Market
The disadvantages of a super market or Super Bazaar are as follows:
- Super market requires huge financial resources.
- It is normally situated at a long distance from the residential localities.
- There is lack of personal attention.
- Super market does not provide various services such as free home delivery, personal guidance, credit facility and after sale service.
- It faces the problem of co-ordinating activities of various sections of the market.
- It requires large and extensive premises.
- Goods which require explanation by salesmen cannot be sold in such markets.
Internal Trade
Q 1.
Used goods are bought and sold in which type of shops.
Q 2.
Mention different types of Chambers of Commerce in India. Explain any one.
Q 3.
Explain important terms used in context of internal trade.
Q 4.
Describe the role and functions of the Chamber of Commerce.
Q 5.
Enumerate the services of the wholesaler to manufacturer and some general services.
Q 6.
What difficulties will be faced by the consumers if retailers are eliminated from the chain?
Q 7.
How does market information provided by wholesalers benefit the manufacturers?
Q 8.
Explain the services of a wholesaler to a retailer, consumer and general services.
Q 9.
Name the retail outlets that sell merchandise through mail.
Q 10.
Explain different types of fixed shops under retail trade.
Q 11.
What purpose is served by wholesalers providing warehousing facilities?
Q 12.
Enumerate the features of retail trade.
Q 13.
Large quantity buying is characteristic of which trade?
Q 14.
Explain the services offered by the wholesalers to the manufacturers.
Q 15.
Explain the meaning, features, advantages and disadvantages of super market.
Q 16.
What is a departmental store?
Q 17.
Goods with little defects are sold in which type of shops?
Q 18.
What is meant by internal trade?
Q 19.
What do you mean by internal trade?
Q 20.
Who are Itinerants?
Q 21.
Name the retail organization where same types of commodities are sold at uniform prices located all over the country.
Q 22.
In which business are goods bought and sold through postal services?
Q 23.
What type of goods are suitable for Automatic vending machines?
Q 24.
Name any two Itinerants.
Q 25.
What are the services offered by retailers to wholesalers and consumers?
Q 26.
Itinerant traders have been an integral part of internal trade in India. Analyse the reasons for their survival in spite of competition from large scale retailers.
Q 27.
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of Mail Oraer House.
Q 28.
What difficulties can a consumer face if there is no retail shop?
Q 29.
Name the machine in which goods are bought and sold by inserting coins.
Q 30.
Give the full form of FICCI.
Q 31.
What are the differences between departmental stores and multiple shops?
Q 32.
How do the wholesalers help the manufacturer in availing the economies of scale?
Q 33.
Give any two services of retailer to the customers.
Q 34.
"The chambers interact with the government at different levels to reorient or put in place policies which reduce trade hindrances."Comment.
Q 35.
What difficulties will be faced by the manufacturers if wholesalers are eliminated from the chain?
Q 36.
Write a short note on Vending Machines.
Q 37.
What is meant by Automatic vending machines?
Q 38.
Mention and define the documents which are used in internal trade.
Q 39.
Distinguish between single line stores and specialty stores. Can you identify such stores in your locality?
Q 40.
Discuss the meaning, features and advantages of Consumer Cooperative Store.
Q 41.
Explain the meaning and advantages of carrying on mail order business.
Q 42.
Give one example of chain stores.
Q 43.
How would you differentiate between street traders and street shops?
Q 44.
Name and define different large scale retail shops.
Q 45.
Why are consumers cooperative stores considered to be less expensive? What are its relative advantages over other large scale retailers?
Q 46.
What is the difference between a hawker and a peddler?
Q 47.
Name any two departmental stores.
Q 48.
Who are itinerants? Name different types of itinerants.
Q 49.
Specify the characteristics of fixed shop retailers.
Q 50.
Explain different types of small scale retail shops.
