Supermarket Simulator: From Corner Store to Retail Empire
Supermarket Simulator: From Corner Store to Retail Empire
Supermarket Simulator: A Journey of Growth, Busywork, and Reward
Management simulation games have been on the rise, quietly making a mark on the gaming scene in subtle ways. While the genre hasn’t experienced the kind of explosive growth seen in others, Supermarket Simulator has managed to break through, carving a niche for itself and helping other titles find a wider audience. What started as a humble store management game has turned into an expansive, immersive experience that will satisfy anyone who loves the grind of running a business.
From Corner Store to Supermarket Empire
As the title suggests, Supermarket Simulator lets players take control of a small corner store and grow it into a thriving supermarket. But this transformation isn’t instant—it’s a slow, methodical process that spans over many in-game days. It requires patience, strategy, and the willingness to wear multiple hats, which is a key part of the charm. Even after clocking in over 80 hours, I find myself still enjoying the game’s intricate daily tasks.
A typical day begins with taking stock of your products and assessing what needs to be restocked. You have two main options: you can either order products online, which is faster but comes with full price plus shipping, or you can visit local stores, which cuts costs by half but is time-consuming. However, time isn’t an issue yet since your workday doesn’t officially start until your doors open to customers.
Juggling Tasks and Delegating Responsibilities
In the early stages of the game, you’re very much hands-on, dealing with everything from working the cash register to cleaning up after messy customers. However, as your store expands, you can hire NPCs to help automate tasks. Still, you’ll never truly stop managing—whether it’s ordering products or deciding how many boxes go to storage, the work is ongoing.
One of the more interesting features of the game is that customers will sometimes ask for deliveries to specific locations. As of now, NPCs cannot deliver these products outside the store, but it adds another layer of management to the mix.
It’s a bit like being promoted from a bag boy to a store manager as you progress. Early on, you’re doing everything yourself, but as your business grows, you delegate tasks to NPCs. But be warned—once you expand your product range, keeping up with everything becomes a lot more exhausting.
A Year of Growth: From Early Access to Full Release
Since entering Early Access in February 2024, Supermarket Simulator has evolved significantly. The performance has improved dramatically—what was once a glitchy mess with frame rate dips is now a much smoother experience. The addition of new features like grocery delivery, NPC thieves, and new products (like produce and alcohol) has transformed the gameplay. The core elements, such as basic store products, are still there, but nearly everything else has received an overhaul.
One of the most exciting updates came in January 2025 when NPC thieves were introduced. Alongside this, a security NPC was added, changing the way players had to approach store management. Shortly after that, fruits and vegetables became sellable, and I found myself designing a dedicated produce aisle—something I never anticipated. Driving was also added, along with an expanded map featuring new local stores that sell products at half price.
It’s truly unrecognizable compared to the early days. And the game isn’t stopping there—there are rumors of a multiplayer mode currently in beta, which could be rolled out later this year, alongside a console release for both PlayStation and Xbox.
A New Pace of Play
Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more efficient and delegating tasks to NPCs. I went from handling every small detail to just overseeing operations, taking the occasional delivery request, and checking for good deals. But even the minor tasks still bring me a sense of accomplishment. One of the most exciting moments in the game now is saving enough money to purchase a new license and expand the store or storage space. Occasionally, I’ll even shuffle product lines around based on new items or better deals. These major shake-ups feel like milestones, akin to defeating a tough boss in a Souls-like game.
I can’t help but smile as I expand, knowing how far my store has come. If I’m lucky, I’ll catch an offer from a producer that’s just too good to pass up, further driving the cycle of improvement. And with the goal of reaching level 100, I suspect I’ll continue this loop for quite some time.
The Graphics and Sound: Simple Yet Effective
Graphically, Supermarket Simulator isn’t aiming to impress with hyper-realistic visuals. The products are generic, but their utility within the game’s system is what matters. The visuals are more than serviceable, and the art style does a great job of delivering the atmosphere without drawing attention away from the gameplay.
The in-game music is another example of simplicity done right. Once you buy wall-mounted speakers for your store, you’re treated to a blend of elevator and waiting room music—perfect for setting the tone in your retail empire. While it might not be groundbreaking, it fits the setting and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
The Allure of Busywork
What keeps me coming back to Supermarket Simulator is the endless to-do list. There’s something deeply satisfying about checking off tasks, whether it’s restocking shelves, handling customer requests, or expanding the store. But this dedication to the grind can also be a double-edged sword. After level 63, the game’s endgame stretches on for what feels like weeks of in-game time. Reaching level 100 requires as much focus as hitting max level in a JRPG. Some players will thrive in this endless grind, while others might find it overwhelming.
Still, there’s something uniquely rewarding about Supermarket Simulator. It’s a perfect example of what a management sim should be—deeply engaging and consistently rewarding as you watch your humble store grow into a full-fledged supermarket.
The Future Looks Bright
What’s most exciting is that the game continues to evolve. Supermarket Simulator has undergone tremendous changes since its Early Access days, and it’s only getting better. With new features on the horizon, including multiplayer and console releases, the future looks bright. The game may still lack some customization options, but the devs seem dedicated to improving it with each update.
If you’re a fan of storefront simulators, Supermarket Simulator should be on your radar. The level of detail and progress is second to none, and if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy every moment of expanding your little corner store into a supermarket empire.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a store to expand.
If you like this review and want to see more like Supermarket Simulator, you can click here. My snapchat is Cara_lynn97. Twitter and Instagram are the same. I stream on twitch multiple days a week! Be sure to follow me to see the live playthroughs of games and anything else I might do and post online.