Summary
Waitrose has announced the opening date for its new store in Southwick. The supermarket has confirmed that it will open at 8am on Thursday, May 29. The formerly vacant Southwick Square building is currently being transformed into a “Little Waitrose” convenience shop ready to welcome its new customers at the end of the month.
Source: The Argus on MSN.com

AI News Q&A (Free Content)
Q1: What are some of the newest technology trends being adopted by supermarkets in 2024?
A1: Recent trends in supermarkets include the integration of smart technologies such as connected inventory systems, self-checkout kiosks, and mobile shopping apps. Systems like SysMART are being developed to offer remote inventory checks, distant parking availability, and real-time traffic updates for customers, all aimed at enhancing convenience and efficiency in the shopping experience.
Q2: How do supermarkets use consumer sales forecasting to manage inventory and promotions?
A2: Supermarkets are leveraging advanced Bayesian forecasting models to predict daily sales and manage inventory efficiently. These models consider various factors such as trends, seasonality, pricing, and promotions to forecast sales for individual items, allowing supermarkets to reduce waste, avoid stockouts, and optimize promotional strategies for higher accuracy in meeting consumer demand.
Q3: How has inflation impacted consumer behavior and supermarket pricing strategies in recent years?
A3: Inflation has led to noticeable shifts in consumer purchasing habits, with shoppers increasingly seeking value and private-label products. Supermarkets are responding by adjusting pricing strategies, offering more promotions, and expanding their range of lower-cost alternatives to retain customer loyalty amidst rising costs.
Q4: What are the primary factors influencing a consumer’s choice of supermarket?
A4: Key factors influencing supermarket choice include product selection, price competitiveness, convenience of location, store services, and promotions. Recent research using consumer panel data has shown that shoppers also weigh product variety and the availability of special services such as online ordering or loyalty programs when deciding where to shop.
Q5: How are supermarkets addressing the challenge of retail inflation while maintaining profitability?
A5: Supermarkets mitigate the effects of retail inflation by leveraging economies of scale, negotiating favorable terms with suppliers, and optimizing logistics. They often use loss leaders—selling staple items at reduced prices—to attract customers, compensating for lower margins with higher overall sales volumes and the promotion of higher-margin products.
Q6: How does the implementation of self-service options in supermarkets benefit both consumers and retailers?
A6: Self-service checkouts and mobile shopping tools benefit consumers by reducing wait times and offering greater flexibility. For retailers, these technologies lower labor costs and enable the reallocation of staff to other areas of the store, resulting in improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Q7: What role do supermarkets play in shaping modern consumer lifestyles beyond just food shopping?
A7: Modern supermarkets have evolved into multi-service centers offering not just groceries but also pharmacy services, banking, cafes, and more. By integrating these diverse services, supermarkets provide a one-stop solution that fits the fast-paced lifestyles of contemporary consumers, further solidifying their role as essential community hubs.
References:
- Supermarket: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarket