Based on your spelling of “generalisation” I take it you are from the UK. I am speaking of my knowledge of the US grocery business. There may be differences. I fully admit to having essentially zero knowledge of the grocery business landscape in Europe.
Independent grocers certainly do exist here, but it is increasingly rare and, in my experience, it is almost always a long running business that, yes, is trying very hard and have either a market that is too small for a chain to move into or, as I said in my previous comment, a specific niche. Typically this niche is the very high end or a specific ethnic cuisine such as Korean, Mexican, or Italian where you can find ingredients and brands you just can’t find in a chain store. Though these stores are typically very small and are closer to general stores in some cases. A good deli or grill is another good differentiator for some grocers. I have yet to see a fully independent one store grocer compete head to head with a chain grocery store. I just don’t think the economies of scale are there to allow it. There are smaller regional chains that are able to compete with the national grocers, but they get bought up eventually by chains to eliminate competition in a region.
Independent grocers certainly do exist here, but it is increasingly rare and, in my experience, it is almost always a long running business that, yes, is trying very hard and have either a market that is too small for a chain to move into or, as I said in my previous comment, a specific niche. Typically this niche is the very high end or a specific ethnic cuisine such as Korean, Mexican, or Italian where you can find ingredients and brands you just can’t find in a chain store. Though these stores are typically very small and are closer to general stores in some cases. A good deli or grill is another good differentiator for some grocers. I have yet to see a fully independent one store grocer compete head to head with a chain grocery store. I just don’t think the economies of scale are there to allow it. There are smaller regional chains that are able to compete with the national grocers, but they get bought up eventually by chains to eliminate competition in a region.