
They are known in various names – Hyper markets, Cash&Carry, Super Stores, etc. The three things they have in common are: they are built on extra large surface areas of land, provide extra-large or larger than life trolleys as well as big, multiple packs of every stuff particularly the wide range of food items and plenty of alcohol. Some healthy food and others predictably ‘unhealthy’.
These larger than life trolleys indirectly compel shoppers to buy more than they would normally need as a daily or weekly supply. Yet they go back daily or weekly.
The shops used to be the reserve of a certain group or so called lower class. Not any more. Every class can be found there.
These stores or shopping Halls (not Malls) now cater for all classes in the society. Families can have time out, with the shop-and-eat models or so called better shopping experience attracting more shoppers.
Pizzas, burgers, drinks, etc. come in generous portions and relatively cheaper than outside. As one looks around, unscientific observation seems to suggest that every shopper is either ‘big’ or growing ‘bigger’ in size.
Hence, the question, are these larger than life food Halls or Hyper-markets, Cash & Carry, etc. saving money or helping to make the population even more obese? If shopping in one, check out the trolleys and the shoppers in the next visit.