A grocery store is a small to medium-sized store which carries an assortment of foodstuffs. It should be smaller or more limited in its offerings than a supermarket. It does not include specialty food stores like candy stores, convenience stores, bakeries, delicatessens, take-out places, fast food, or any kind of cooking or dining establishments. This type also excludes marketplaces where various vendors set up stalls.

The shop carries a varied assortment of food. Its scale or selection is more limited than a supermarket.

Convenience stores and cooking or dining establishments remain excluded. A marketplace of separate vendors is also outside this grocery-store definition.