Markets vs supermarkets

Markets and supermarkets offer the consumer two very different shopping experiences, and vary greatly in convenience, accessibility, range and – importantly in these times – price.

With people placing more emphasis on the origin and freshness of produce, and a backlash against the ethics and corporate attitudes of some supermarkets, a new generation of shoppers are turning to their local market for groceries.

City centre resident Molly, 24, shops regularly for fish and meat at Manchester's Arndale Market. “Well I go to the supermarket for the basics because I live right above it, but it's pretty expensive so I tend to pop over here for meat and fish and stuff. It's cheaper, I think. And the fishmongers here is just brilliant, they have so much choice. And it's all really fresh. I bought some tuna steaks – I'm going to attempt to cook them tonight.”

It's not just groceries. A rise in the popularity of vintage and second hand fashion has seen more and more people turning to markets for clothing and accessories, looking for that individual piece with the bargain price tag.

Meanwhile, a rapidly increasing number of farmers' markets are selling high quality, specialist food items at prices that supermarkets just can't compete with. In the last 13 years the number of farmers' markets in the UK has grown from zero (in 1997) to nearly a thousand. Helped along by the increasing awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses, as well as a boost in the popularity of organic food, public opinion about these type of markets is high.

Of course, the supermarkets still reign supreme. A recent government survey showed that nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of people do most of their food shopping at a large supermarket – with only eight per cent shopping regularly at markets. It's not a surprising statistic. Supermarkets undoubtedly offer convenience when it comes to opening hours, parking, and the sheer range of products on offer.

Local markets can never compete in these respects. Yet for some, the experience of shopping at markets is far more enjoyable than the hectic convenience of a supermarket.

It's undeniably a more sociable way to shop. For some people, in particular the elderly who live alone, shopping provides an opportunity for social contact, and faceless supermarkets offer nothing like the warm and personalised experience of a market.

One such customer is Mrs Healey, a pensioner who says she has been a regular at the Arndale Market for “years and years”.

Mrs Healey shops at the market for most of her groceries and prefers the social aspect of buying directly from stall holders. “My son takes me to Asda sometimes but I don't go there on my own. It's so big. And they have those computers now and you have to do it yourself. I don't know how they work.”

For those without cars, getting to an edge-of-town supermarket is not an easy task. Especially because supermarkets by their nature encourage the 'big shop' – not exactly feasible for pedestrians without a car boot to transport goods home in.

It's a time-old debate, with most people agreeing that both the supermarket and the traditional local market have an important role to play in our shopping habits.

What do you think? Do you prefer the experience of shopping at a market or a supermarket? Which do you tend to do more? And why? Let us know your thoughts below.