Supermarkets
The biggest advantage of supermarkets is that shopping is easy and convenient. One large building is a quick and easy way to get everything you need, from all kinds of groceries to office supplies to kitchenware. The selection is large and the prices are not expensive. You don\’t have to go all over town, or even several towns, to get everything you need. Of course, with these undeniable advantages, the quality of the goods can suffer. Many (but not all) supermarkets buy their goods from large corporations and cut corners on production methods and ingredients. Baked goods are frozen, fruits tend to be imported from far away and artificially aged, and commodities may only last a few months.
Small, particular local stores
Here, unfortunately, practicality is somewhat lacking. To get everyday groceries such as fruits, vegetables, and baked goods, one usually has to visit several stores. However, this is also an advantage. The selection is extensive, albeit only in certain categories, and the clerks are knowledgeable and can advise you which model of headphones has the best parameters for you, or tell you the exact ingredients in a certain food item.
The prices may not be the lowest, but the price disadvantage of a product can usually be compensated by its quality. This can be seen, for example, in health food stores and local produce stores. Why buy fruit imported from far away and ripened in a shed when you can get fruit grown in Europe or in your own country?
Buying here also supports small producers in many cases. Small producers can differentiate themselves from larger producers through traditional or more careful production processes. Many of these stores are also environmentally conscious, offering products made with organic farming methods and saving plastic packaging. Therefore, it is worth visiting these stores once in a while.