What are "box supermarkets"? What does "box" mean here?

Question

Kevin: And I’ve noticed like the… in many countries now that the, like, these mega-chains are just, they’re incredibly popular whereas here, you know, the farmers’ market has resurged and become popular again. In a lot of countries, mega… you know, box supermarkets are becoming popular.

Answer 1

Big-box store is a term that refers to a style of retail store, and the company behind the store. "Big-Box" is descriptive of the physical characteristics of the building as well as the floor space. They are usually located in suburban or rural areas, in proximity to freeways, as opposed to downtown shopping districts.

Proponents tout that this design provides space for a large amount of merchandise and serves as an enormous billboard to attract customers. It is particularly favored by volume discount retailers. They point to consumer benefits from greater convenience and lower cost of goods, and the ability of such stores to draw in tax-generating consumers from a wide area.

Opponents will desribe the lack of personalism and personality offered at these box stores as well as the way in which they also depersonalize small towns. Small communities become retail ghost towns and their residents must commute to the nearby suburban area to patronize a cookie cutter branch of the big chain grocery store instead of the mom and pop corner store with the bell on the door which had carried all the local favorites.

As your example points out these box stores, due to the convenience they offer in a fast paced world, offer almost unbeatable competitiion for the old downtown shoppes and farmers markets. This speaks directly to the dynamics of modern commercialism for the small towns, small farmers, and small business owners alike. It doesn't bode well.

Answer 2

Box markets are a no frills kind of a store where the entire box of merchandise is put out on the shelf and you take out however many you want. As you shop you keep an eye out for empty boxes sitting on shelves and you grab one to use to carry your own stuff out of the store. Sam's Club is the one that first comes to mind. Wal-Mart is one to a certain extent but not totally. Aldys is another one. I prefer a bit more merchandising where I shop so don't go to these places much. I love our farmer's market but we only have it in the warm months of the year.

Answer 3

Where goods are piled high and sold out of the boxes they arrive in from the warehouse or wholesaler, rather than being displayed nicely on shelves, lined up like little soldiers. In the UK examples are Aldi, Netto and Kwiksave.

Answer 4

I think this is a reference to the Costco type of retailer, which was nicknamed "big box" because they sell large quantity packages, like a small business would buy.
Also known as warehouse stores.
Sam's Club is another example of this type.