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Category Benchmark

Supermarket: Sales Per Square Foot & Occupancy Cost

National benchmark data for supermarkets and grocery stores. Sales per square foot and occupancy cost metrics for conventional grocery, specialty food, and convenience formats.

Avg Sales / SF

$550.00

National average

Avg Occupancy Cost

3.5%

As % of gross sales

Data Source

CoStar

Q3 2023 - Q2 2024

Industry Insights

Grocery-anchored centers are the most recession-resistant retail format due to non-discretionary demand.

Supermarkets generate the highest trip frequency of any retail category (2-3 visits per week).

Grocery anchors typically pay below-market rent in exchange for their traffic-generation value to co-tenants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average sales per square foot for supermarkets?

Conventional supermarkets average $500-600/SF nationally. Premium and specialty formats like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods often exceed $800/SF, while discount formats achieve lower sales/SF but at higher margin.

Why are grocery-anchored centers so desirable?

Grocery stores generate 2-3 visits per week per household — the highest trip frequency of any retail category. This consistent, non-discretionary traffic creates a reliable customer stream for all co-tenants, making grocery-anchored centers the most recession-resistant retail format.

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