Retail Reflections

So what does the future hold for the supercenter? Contrary to what many say, it is still a viable way to shop. But you will see product assortments...

Bruce Peterson
March 13, 2025
1 minute read

So what does the future hold for the supercenter? Contrary to what many say, it is still a viable way to shop. But you will see product assortments evolve dramatically and a blending of online and onsite shopping, as stores become “mini distribution centers.” Walmart is already using supercenters to provide a more focused product mix for its new “Walmart On the Go” and “Walmart Express” formats, just as Target Corporation is experimenting with its “Target Express” stores. The future of retailing will present more of a defensive market strategy with multiple formats that both complement each other and enhance the online shopping experience.

So the evolution of retail to more “small ball” is inevitable. And while it doesn’t mean that the “bigs” are going away, it’s clear their role as the industry’s major growth vehicle is slipping into history.

Bruce Peterson is the founder and president of Peterson Insights, Inc., a consulting company specializing in the complex challenges of the fresh food industry. Peterson began his career bagging groceries, and went on to work for several supermarket chains, including 17 years at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. He has owned and operated a wholesale produce company, and served as chief executive officer of both Naturipe Foods LLC and Bland Farms.

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