How large stores can unlock revenue beyond the store

With hypermarket and supermarket channels facing increased pressure from tough economic environments, discounters, and online channels, retailers are evolving how stores will operate in the future.

Large store of the future model

The large store of the future identifies key aspects of the store to enable retailers and suppliers to identify growth opportunities. It aims to inspire and challenge how traditional large stores can evolve and use store space in a way that drives sales or improves profitability.

The area outside the store is an underused asset for hypermarkets and supermarkets. The space, depending on the market and location, offers retailers the potential to unlock new revenue.

Find eight ways large store retailers continue to unlock new revenue streams outside of store.

Creating rememberable experience that drive engagement

Rewe Unterschleißheim turned its supermarket car park into an open-air cinema for four nights, combining film screenings with themed food and drinks tailored to each movie. Organised in partnership with the local business campus and cinema. The event attracted strong attendance, with most showings selling out and generating enough sponsorship income to cover costs and fund future community projects such as playgrounds or park benches.

Adding services that increase shopper convenience

Multiple retailers across Europe are adding Wash.Me laundry services outside stores. During 2026, Asda partnered with ME Group International to launch 700 Wash.Me self-service machines across Asda stores. Asda shoppers will soon be able to wash while they shop thanks to the new partnership.

Turning unused space into community value

Kaufland launched a community urban garden at its Bucureștii Noi store in Romania. The retailer transformed the roof and exterior walls into a 2,300 sq. m green space for local residents. Beyond improving store sustainability credentials, the gardens are intended to serve as educational spaces where schools and local communities can learn about growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, reinforcing Kaufland’s role as a community hub rather than solely a retail destination.

Using car parks to reduce energy costs  

Carrefour has partnered with GreenYellow to install solar-panel carports across 350 supermarket and hypermarket car parks in France. Enabling the retailer to turn store parking areas into renewable energy assets. The electricity generated will be primarily used to power Carrefour stores, helping the retailer reduce energy costs and comply with French renewable energy requirements.

Driving footfall through food-to-go

Morrisons Watford is set to see an addition of a drive thru coffee shop, which once used to be just car parking space.  

Reinventing existing space to create a destination

Kaufland is transforming its Romanian hypermarkets by adding food courts and open-air commercial gallery spaces to create a more destination-style shopping experience. The first redevelopment took place at its Barbu Văcărescu store in Bucharest, where the retailer introduced a mix of restaurants, cafés, and service tenants alongside its core grocery offer.

Targeting adjacent missions with convenience-led offers

Walmart Mexico is using stalls outside stores to capture spend from taxi and Uber drivers bringing shoppers to its sites, turning passing footfall into a more targeted convenience opportunity.

Creating flexible retail and service revenue streams

Carrefour Property is expanding the commercial use of outdoor space at Atacadão stores in Brazil by transforming parking lots and surrounding areas into flexible retail and service hubs.

The initiative enables brands, local entrepreneurs, and service providers to operate kiosks, containers, food trucks, pop-up stores, gyms, car washes, and promotional activations in strategic high-traffic locations.
The model creates new rental revenue streams, attracts additional footfall, strengthens local relevance, and provides brands with a low-risk route to trial physical retail formats, helping Atacadão evolve beyond a pure grocery proposition into a broader ecosystem of services and experiences.

Looking for more insight?

Check out the global supermarket and hypermarket trends 2026.