Taking a look at the other replies can certainly explain how American grocery stores became such big places. I’m American, but have the luck of comparing to European town layout and actually being walking distance from a grocery store. Theoretically, if the shops (and streets and parking lots) themselves were smaller, you could make frequent backpack-sized trips for fresh whatever because it would be a tiny distance.
I’m in the UK, the supermarket is less than 10 minutes away by car, but it seems impossible to spend less than an hour in there shopping for a family of 4. There’s a smaller shop in walking distance, but everything costs more there and it’s not economical for a weeks worth (not to mention the more limited range).
My solution is to pay the big store to pick it for me, then I just collect it. Cheaper than delivery, they’re the ones sat waiting for me and if there’s a sub I don’t like or something I forgot, it’s just a quick visit, not an odyssey.
Still use the local but just for top ups if needed
Taking a look at the other replies can certainly explain how American grocery stores became such big places. I’m American, but have the luck of comparing to European town layout and actually being walking distance from a grocery store. Theoretically, if the shops (and streets and parking lots) themselves were smaller, you could make frequent backpack-sized trips for fresh whatever because it would be a tiny distance.
I’m in the UK, the supermarket is less than 10 minutes away by car, but it seems impossible to spend less than an hour in there shopping for a family of 4. There’s a smaller shop in walking distance, but everything costs more there and it’s not economical for a weeks worth (not to mention the more limited range).
My solution is to pay the big store to pick it for me, then I just collect it. Cheaper than delivery, they’re the ones sat waiting for me and if there’s a sub I don’t like or something I forgot, it’s just a quick visit, not an odyssey.
Still use the local but just for top ups if needed