Like leaves that change color in the fall in response to their molecules altering because of surroundings, mass merchandisers are shifting strategies in response to changing retail environments. Although, in some cases, the numbers seem to show that the channel is wilting, a deeper look reveals that it is simply evolving into something better suited for the needs of today’s shoppers.
The latest data from Chicago-based Euromonitor International reports that mass merchandiser sales decreased 0.4 percent in 2018 while hypermarket sales — which includes sales from SuperTargets, Walmart Supercenters and similar retailers that offer a mix of groceries, clothing, household goods and more — grew slightly by 2.9 percent. Senior Analyst Bob Hoyler adds that the market research firm is in the process of updating these numbers with new data and estimates the decline in mass merchandiser sales to be closer to 2.6 percent. However, combined, mass merchandisers and hypermarkets saw about a 2 percent increase in sales in 2018.