Nokta Games put Supermarket Simulator into Early Access on 20 February 2024 and shipped the 1.0 build on 19 June 2025. You order stock on the shop computer, price every product against a market rate that moves daily, stack the shelves by hand and scan each item at the till until you can afford staff. Twenty six licences sit between you and the full catalogue of over 150 products.
Supermarket Simulator features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shop floor | Store level 1 and up | More shelf slots, room for fridges and freezers, higher customer capacity | Cashier |
| 2 | Checkout counters | Store level 1 and up | Faster throughput, fewer abandoned baskets, a place to put a hired cashier | Cashier |
| 3 | Storage room | Early store levels once cash allows | Box capacity, restocker efficiency, a clear shop floor | Owner operator |
| 4 | The store computer | Available from day one | Stock ordering, licence purchases, hiring, online delivery jobs | Owner operator |
| 5 | Local market | Any store level | Cheaper stock than the standard order screen on selected products | Owner operator |
Shop floor: Starting Area
The sales area you expand tier by tier as profits allow. Aisle spacing matters as much as shelf count, because blocked paths stop customers reaching the product they came for.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Store level 1 and up |
| Key Rewards | More shelf slots, room for fridges and freezers, higher customer capacity |
| Recommended Build | Cashier |
| Key Equipment | Shelves |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Ordering stock on the store computer. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Checkout counters.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Checkout counters: Early Game
The till line at the front. One counter is fine while you are scanning solo, and a second is the difference between a rush hour and a walkout.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Store level 1 and up |
| Key Rewards | Faster throughput, fewer abandoned baskets, a place to put a hired cashier |
| Recommended Build | Cashier |
| Key Equipment | Shelves |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Pricing against the daily market rate. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Shelves if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Storage room.
Storage room: Mid Game
The back area where delivered boxes and metal racks live. Restockers pull from here, so an organised storage room is what makes hired staff actually productive.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Early store levels once cash allows |
| Key Rewards | Box capacity, restocker efficiency, a clear shop floor |
| Recommended Build | Owner operator |
| Key Equipment | Shelves |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Checkout counter becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Store Points and store levels for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
The store computer: Late Game
The management hub. Ordering, product prices, licences, employees and online orders all run through it, and it is where you should start every in game morning.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Available from day one |
| Key Rewards | Stock ordering, licence purchases, hiring, online delivery jobs |
| Recommended Build | Owner operator |
| Key Equipment | Checkout counter |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Checkout counter should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Hiring cashiers and restockers mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Local market.
Local market: Endgame
An outside supplier you visit in person for deals the online catalogue does not match. It costs travel time, which is only worth spending on lines you sell in volume.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any store level |
| Key Rewards | Cheaper stock than the standard order screen on selected products |
| Recommended Build | Owner operator |
| Key Equipment | Checkout counter |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Online order courier for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Shop floor → Checkout counters → Storage room → The store computer → Local market. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Supermarket Simulator Guides
- Supermarket Simulator Supermarket Simulator Overview
- Supermarket Simulator Best Builds
- Supermarket Simulator Tier List
- Supermarket Simulator Walkthrough
- Supermarket Simulator Beginner's Guide
- Supermarket Simulator Tips & Tricks
- Supermarket Simulator Weapons Guide
- Supermarket Simulator Combat Guide
- Supermarket Simulator Boss Guide
- Supermarket Simulator Crafting Guide
- Supermarket Simulator Classes & Characters
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