IF department stores are the dinosaurs of retailing, then supermarket chains are the Tyrannosaurus Rex of the industry.

Unfortunately, the days of popping into the local corner shop, asking the owner for some groceries (which he would collect and wrap up), and having a good old natter are fast becoming a thing of the past.

For decades now bigger stores have slowly gobbled up such shops as they began to offer products beyond the normal scope of the smaller premises.

Supermarkets added meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, and breads to their offerings, which had formerly been provided by individual stores such as butchers, bakeries, and the milkman.

Now they are evolving even further.

We see warehouse-style super-supermarkets that offer greeting cards, flowers, video rental, fast food, childcare, clothes, televisions, microwaves, home and garden goods, medicines, and even insurance.

Because of this, it is not just the corner shop that is falling victim - other, bigger, retail firms previously thought to be beyond touch are suffering.

Just this week, WH Smith unveiled the worst results in its history, with losses of more than £100m. Why? Because supermarket rivals are selling everything it does, and more.

Also, Marks & Spencer was dealt a fresh blow when a report highlighted the growing impact of supermarkets on its childrenswear market.

The high street retailer, once the biggest player in the market, has now been relegated to joint fourth position in the sector after being overtaken by Tesco, market research firm Verdict revealed.

The same survey described the chances of M&S regaining the top position it last held in 2000 as "remote".

Yet on the other side of the coin, on Monday, Somerfield placed nearly 39.5 million new shares at 130 pence, raising £51.3m to finance its acquisition of 114 Safeway stores from rival William Morrison Supermarkets.

Morrison, now the country's fourth biggest supermarket, bought the stores as part of its £3bn buy-out of the Safeway group in March, but finds them too small.

But are super-supermarkets the way we want to go?

Do we want to go into one place, which quite often lacks any environment or character, and buy everything with nameless people serving us?

Or would we rather go back to the days of being greeted by a friendly Mrs Bloggs at the grocers, or Mr Smith at the butchers?

Shoppers in Worcester and surrounding areas gave their opinion on the subject.

Sheila Price, of Droitwich, had mixed feelings.

"At the moment we only have two relatively small supermarkets in the town and most people who work in them are local," said the 73-year-old.

"So you get the old-fashioned service where people know you and you know them, and you can have a chat with them.

"In that respect, it is no different to how it was years ago. However, I don't like really big stores and I still prefer to buy some items, such as medicine and clothes, from specialist shops.

"This is a force of habit in some ways, but I do think there is more choice for some things outside supermarkets."

Lauren Murray, of London Road, Worcester enjoys shopping at Tesco - particularly as she has recently moved home and can buy a lot of goods for her house.

"I'm a Tesco girl - I have bought all my pots and pans from there, as well as things like blinds, cutlery, tableware and so on," said the 18-year-old.

"I find it really handy to go into one place and buy everything that I need. I'm not really bothered about talking to the person who serves me, I just want to do my shopping and go."

For Lesley Stewart, of Ombersley, supermarkets are great places to shop, although she thinks there will always be a market for individual specialist stores.

"I like the fact that you can buy all that you need under one roof," she said.

"Tesco, for instance, has a fantastic range of clothes at very reasonable prices, and I also buy things like books from there too.

"However, while I know supermarkets are having an impact on other big retail stores, I don't think they will ever take over completely."