US study shows potential profitabillity for corner store fresh produce
The study looked at changes to one New Orleans neighborhood store in 2010. Changes included the addition of a produce cooler and promotions announcing availability of these items through local organizations.
Sales were analyzed before and after the changes and researchers found that produce accounted for three percent of gross store profit — a greater percentage than energy-dense snack foods like candy, cookies and pastries.
“The biggest take away from this paper is the profitability of produce and that the multiple components of the intervention – installation of the cooler, promotional items and activities – together could encourage store owners to promote and stock healthier items,” said Lauren Dunaway, a research manager at the Tulane PRC and one of the study’s authors.
While the study only covered one store, the researchers believe that stores supplying fresh produce could increase their profitability while at the same time improving access to healthy foods for their neighborhood, said Dunaway.
source: news.tulane.edu
