Dollar Stores and Food Access for Rural Households in the United States, 2008‒2020

Abstract

Dollar stores have rapidly expanded their food offerings in recent years. These foods tend to be higher in calories and lower in nutrients, raising public health concerns, especially in rural and low-income areas where food-access challenges are often greatest. However, there is limited empirical evidence evaluating the impact of this expansion on household food purchases on a national scale. Using data from a yearly, nationally representative panel of approximately 50 000 households, we estimated the share of food purchases from 2008 to 2020 by store type and evaluated the role of dollar stores as food retailers in the United States. We found that dollar stores were the fastest-growing food retailers by household expenditure share (increasing by 89.7%), with rural growth outpacing growth elsewhere (increasing by 102.9%). Though dollar stores still represent a small share of national household food purchases (2.1% in 2020), they play an increasingly prominent role in food-at-home purchases for certain disadvantaged and rural communities. Understanding the quality of the foods they offer and how this may affect diet-related health outcomes is warranted. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 19, 2023:e1–e6. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307193 )

Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Rural Appalachia

“…Dollar Stores were noted as a key food-sourcing venue in Martin County, and this finding is notable, given the poverty level of the community. Since 2008, Dollar Stores have been the fastest-growing retail outlet for food procurement and the share of food purchased at dollar stores increases as household income decreases, particularly in rural areas [36]. These venues may also influence the consumption of foods that are higher in calories and lower in nutrients [37].…”

Dollar store expansion and independent grocery retailer contraction

“…The proliferation of dollar stores has generated concerns beyond their direct impact on grocery retail competition. For example, recent research by Feng et al (2023) has shown that dollar stores have become the fastest-growing food retailer regarding household expenditure share, particularly in rural and low-income areas. This trend could further reduce access to healthy food options in these communities, with potentially adverse implications for public health (Bowen & Hardison-Moody, 2023).…”

“…Their inventory consists of both branded and private label items, mainly comprising essential consumables and highly processed food. Notably, in 2021, some dollar store formats began incorporating fresh produce into their selection (Feng et al, 2023; Troy, 2021). One key aspect of the dollar store expansion strategy is its focus on low‐income and underserved markets, particularly in rural areas where independent grocery retailers traditionally operated (Chenarides, Bonanno, & Palmer, 2021; Chenarides, Cho, et al, 2021).…”

Examining Factors Associated with the Use of Community Food Resources: An Application of the Andersen Model to Inform Future Interventions

“…Amid ongoing efforts to tackle food access challenges and related health disparities, local communities and residents often develop their own unique methods for accessing and consuming healthy diets [2,3]. Recent food environment research has highlighted shifts in food retail trends, with dollar stores and corner stores now serving as significant sources of food security for disadvantaged and rural communities [4]. However, there remains a limited understanding of the factors that influence the utilization of different community food resources.…”