What is the typical pretax profit margin for supermarkets?

The typical pretax profit margin for supermarkets is generally categorized within the range of 1-2%. This narrow margin reflects the highly competitive nature of the grocery industry, where prices are often driven down due to competition and consumer preference for low-cost options. Supermarkets tend to operate on thin margins because they deal with high volume sales but have limited pricing power. Many supermarkets also face significant overhead costs, including labor, logistics, and quality control, which further squeeze profit margins. The focus for supermarkets is often on turnover and volume rather than high-margin sales, which contributes to the low typical profit margins observed in this sector.