What defines a premium supermarket? Price is only part of the answer

Two bottles of wine can cost the same amount in different places. Still, the shopping sensation will hardly be the same. At one address, the customer walks through functionally lit corridors, looks for what they need on their own and heads to the checkout. In another, you find an environment designed to circulate without rushing, receive guidance on pairing, discover products you didn't know about and leave with the impression that you did more than stock the pantry. The difference between these two experiences helps answer an increasingly common question: after all, what makes a supermarket truly premium? The answer goes far beyond price, as premium is not about prices, but a concept that starts before the shelves. A premium supermarket starts long before choosing products. Discover how architecture, gastronomy, service and curation help to create an experience thought out in every detail. See what Ítalo Barigui has to offer. For many years, calling a supermarket premium meant talking about imported products or brands that were difficult to find. Today, this concept has gained new meanings. Architecture began to influence the way people move around and stay in space. The lighting enhances specific sectors, the corridors and ambient sound were designed to make the visit more pleasant, and the arrangement of products invites the consumer to discover new things along the way. Every detail contributes to creating an environment where shopping is no longer just a routine task. The details of the place, with the concern of transforming shopping into a sensorial experience, set good markets apart. Magnificent. Specialized service is part of the choice Anyone looking for a wine for a special dinner doesn't always just want to find a label. Often, you need someone to recommend a pairing, explain the differences between grapes or suggest an option for the moment that you are planning to be more special. The same happens with specialty coffees, artisanal cheeses, premium meats, yogurts and a variety of products aimed at those looking for a more balanced diet on a daily basis. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, products without added sugar and options with higher protein content are also gaining ground in the choices of consumers who have started to pay more attention to the nutritional quality of food. The search for healthiness does not compromise on flavor and allows for pleasure at the table, quality of ingredients and more appropriate choices for different moments of the routine. Therefore, supermarkets focused on gastronomy started to invest in consultative service. Expert guidance helps consumers make safer choices and discover products that would be difficult to attract attention just because of their packaging. Knowledge also became part of the concept of quality, as offering hundreds of products was no longer enough. In many cases, consumers prefer to find a smaller selection, but built with clear criteria of quality, origin and specialization. This curation brings premium supermarkets closer to gastronomic emporiums, bringing together recognized brands and ingredients chosen for what they represent in each category. The result is a simpler purchase for those looking for good products without having to research each available option. Every good shopping experience is born from careful selection. Discover some of the local brands that give identity to Supermercado Conceito Ítalo Barigui and help define a new way of experiencing the supermarket. A proposal built around experience This vision guides Supermercado Conceito Ítalo Barigui, opened in Curitiba with the aim of bringing together retail, gastronomy and services in a single space. The architectural project was developed to make circulation more comfortable and integrate different environments dedicated to food, well-being and coexistence. The experience also includes specialized service, present in services such as the Ítalo Concierge, which accompanies customers during purchases, and the wine cellar, where professionals help with the choice of wines and pairings. The curation brings together recognized partners in different areas of gastronomy, in addition to a selection of imported products, specialty coffees, artisanal pasta, confectionery, noble meats and ingredients chosen to serve consumers who value quality and origin. This proposal is based on the five pillars that guide the enterprise: quality, curation, practicality, healthiness and proximity. Italo Barigui. Close to home, away from the beaten path.