Supermarkets are going back to the future

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s Newsletters Academic rigour, journalistic flair GIF The Conversation Supermarkets are going back to the future Published: June 4, 2026 12.50am BST https://theconversation.com/supermarkets-are-going-back-to-the-future-282239 https://theconversation.com/supermarkets-are-going-back-to-the-future-282239 Link copied Share article

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Buying groceries at a big supermarket is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to the early 1900s you would have done your shop in the small, family-owned, butchers, bakeries or greengrocers that lined our high streets.

Now, online shopping, “dark stores” and AI chatbots are helping with your groceries, and supermarkets are adapting. It might sound exciting, or terrifying, but what we’re most interested in is what happens next. Will we trade choice, autonomy and our health for convenience? And will we even have a say when huge corporate profits are at stake?

➡️ Click here to read the full interactive story

• Woolworths
• History
• Supermarkets
• Coles
• Demographics
• Grocery stores
• Groceries

Gary Mortimer, Queensland University of Technology, Paul J. Maginn, The University of Western Australia

Authors

1. Gary Mortimer

   Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology

2. Paul J. Maginn

   Director, UWA Public Policy Institute, The University of Western Australia

Disclosure statement

Gary Mortimer has received past funding from the Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability Grant, the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs' Program, the National Clothing Textiles Stewardship Scheme, the National Retail Association and the Australian Retailers Association. He is an independent director and board chair of Services and Creative Skills Australia, a federally-funded jobs and skills council.

Paul J. Maginn does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Partners

University of Western Australia provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

Queensland University of Technology provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.64628/AA.nkdjtwcup

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