The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is marking the 60th anniversary of the UK's first ever supermarket opening by calling on shoppers and the government to support independent retailers.
The Co-operative supermarket in Manor Park, East London, opened its doors on January 12, 1948.
"At the time, the new retail outlets were welcomed as temples of modern convenience, but since then many have become huge multinational companies, often accused of drawing trade away from the high streets and with business practices that force out smaller retailers," a spokesman for the FPB said.
"The supermarkets' move into the convenience store market has had a devastating impact on many town centres, with high streets becoming more like ghost towns than hives of commercial and social activity," he added.
The FPB, which also criticised the results of the Competition Commission's provisional findings, is now urging shoppers to vote with their feet and to support smaller retailers instead.
It is also asking planning authorities to think of smaller operators before they approve planning applications for large supermarkets.