In Paraguayan towns supermarkets are a common sight. They are though still heavily owned by family run stores.
Every town in the country has plenty of these. They range size from little windows in the wall to stores that can almost rival the supermarket chains.
Unlike the supermarkets these stores did not begin their lives as large businesses selling a huge range of items. Instead each and everyone has grown from modest beginnings.
As with everywhere in life and business some have been more successful than others.
Some start small and remain that way. This may not be because their owners are not cut out to be business men. Instead the store may only be required to provide a modest income and may just have a small local community to service. Growing beyond what the local environment could support would in the long run drive any store to ruin.
Other stores though have had the good fortune to be founded in more favorable locations. In a neighbourhood which has grown vastly or along a road which has become a main route for example.
As towns have expanded and the road network improved many previously quite country stores have received large a welcome increases in their customer numbers.
These fortunate stores also become part of a family dynasty. Over the years this causes a more business like attitude to set in. The stores become to be run in a more professional manner allowing profits to increase and the business to grow far beyond its humble beginnings.
Over the years the initial one room business is reorganized and rebuilt. This if the store is well positioned and well run may occur several times.
First the store expands from its original single room to occupy almost the entire house. As it does the family living quarters shrinks causing them either to squash their private lives into one corner of their house or build an extension in which to live.
Then as long as the business continues to flourish the store may outgrow to confines of the house.
The next step would them be, finances allowing, the building of purpose built shop. Once that is done business and private lives can once again become separate. The building of a proper shop also allows to store to look more professional take on a more organized appearance. Customers will have space to move and browse within the store.
Once a store has been built there is no reason why it cannot at a later date be expanded, or even demolished and replaced by something still grander.
The few stores that succeed to reaching this scale become know locally as mini supermarkets. They offer a range of products not far short of those available in the supermarket chains. The most forward thinking also now accept credit cards to ensure that no potential customers are missed.
These stores remain within the family for generations forever growing so long as they are well run and business remains good.
It is not uncommon for the family to open other stores nearby to attempt to expand into other markets. An ice cream parlor, a cafe, a hardware sore or a garage for example.
A large well positioned mini supermarket will stock almost all that its local customers and passing trade requires.
The bulk of the products reflecting the stores origin are unsurprisingly those of food and drink. Additionally basic DIY tools and some ironmongery products can be found. Then there will be school and beauty products. Furthermore full gas bottles to replace empty cooking gas bottles and the inevitable ice for cold drinks will almost always be available.
These stores are superior to the supermarkets for convenience, locality and knowledge of their customers. Serving a local community many of the customers are known by name and visit the store almost daily for a few items.
There is though one aspect in which they can never beat the supermarket chains. Price. The supermarkets are national rather than local businesses and though economies of scale can almost always offer the same products at a lower price.
This does harm the stores and prevent any from growing up near a supermarket as a rival. However through being part of the community and through customer loyalty the majority continue to thrive.
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