Supermarkets-超級市場

　　Since the first supermarket emerged fifty years ago, it has become the most popular shopping center in many large cities around the world. In China, supermarkets enjoy an increasing popularity among city dwellets, especially the common people with low incomes.

　　Compared with other types of stores, supermarkets are getting popular for several reasons. First, fewer employees are required in supermarkets and management cost is reduced. Second, almost all goods are shipped directly from the producers and sold at considerably cheaper prices. Lastly, in supermarkets,ahnost every kind of daily necessity is available and placed on open shelves, so the customers can choose whatever they want from their shopping list and take the items to the checkout counter easily. As a result, instead of visiting many stores, customers can get the tiring shopping task done quickly and feel relaxed. What is more,many supermarkets stay open very late at night, and provide large parking spaces.

　　In the last few years, supermarkets have mushroomed in Beijing and many other large cities in China. The conffort, economy and convenience of shopping in supermarkets please Chinese customers very much; and the supermarkets, steadily gaining popularity, are doing booming business in China.