"The Dollar Store Got It Going On": Understanding Food Shopping Patterns and Policy Preferences among Dollar Store Shoppers with Low Incomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The growing dollar store sector has raised concerns about nutrition and associated health outcomes, especially for low-income communities who disproportionately rely on dollar stores. Perspectives of dollar store shoppers are largely absent.

Objective

This study aimed to understand why low-income shoppers choose to purchase food from dollar stores and what store changes, policies, and programs would make it easier for them to purchase healthier items.

Methods

In May-June 2023, we conducted interviews with 19 dollar store shoppers in an urban county in North Carolina. We used thematic analysis and the framework method to identify emergent patterns and themes across responses.

Results

Individuals relied on dollar stores because of the affordable prices

SUBMITTER: Reimold AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11780371 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature