As stores get larger and add more high service departments, this figure fluctuates across chains. The formats of grocery stores has changed dramatically. A conventional supermarket is defined as a store that devotes most of its space to a full line of food and beverage products including fresh meats and produce. This type of store format in declining in numbers. The large growth has been in supercenters, superstores and combination stores where up to 60 percent of floor space may be devoted to nonfood merchandise.
Convenience stores are also a fast growing format.
The definition of store formats varies by author. The physical layout of stores is changing as is the mix of products sold. Consumers' shift to fast food and take out food from other establishments. The response to Wal Mart is in the form of distributional reengineering and will be discussed later. Store layouts are changing to accommodate the shopper who wants to pick up a quick meal to eat on or off premise.