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A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

citylab.com

11–20 of 224 posts

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#11
post #4

You really have to differentiate between the food that's offered at a dollar store and everything else. I shop at the dollar store for things like shampoo, deodrant, toothpaste and it's superb deal, not in any way making me poorer. on the contrary it saves me money. for groceries, you should shop somewhere else, unless your looking for dog food. the reason there aren't more grocery stores selling good food is because…

"consumers prefer processed foods, sodas, chips, things placed in boxes and plastic" These things also last on the shelves for a very long time. Grains can store well, but other products like meat, fruits, vegetables, quality baked goods, etc. don't.

[deleted]

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#13

It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods. This article paints it all as segregation / race issue which is inaccurate where it is really an issue of purchasing power of the community. While many poor neighborhoods are communities of color - dollar stores have their origin and largest footprint in rural America which is predominantly white.

> It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods.

Why not, for us clueless people?

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#14

It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods. This article paints it all as segregation / race issue which is inaccurate where it is really an issue of purchasing power of the community. While many poor neighborhoods are communities of color - dollar stores have their origin and largest footprint in rural America which is predominantly white.

I am currently in the rural south and have to say you have a VERY valid point. You have to go many miles for an actual grocery store, but can find various discount small box stores as easy as a gas station. Although, I do remember when I was young [in the last century], visiting for holidays, there were general stores and country markets at an even larger scale. An odd example of the loss of 'small town business' by replacing it with branded chains.

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#15
post #13

It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods. This article paints it all as segregation / race issue which is inaccurate where it is really an issue of purchasing power of the community. While many poor neighborhoods are communities of color - dollar stores have their origin and largest footprint in rural America which is predominantly white.

> It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods. Why not, for us clueless people?

They answered that in their second sentence: why would they put a store in a community that can't afford to buy their products?

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#16
post #9

I don't know about other areas, but here in the middle of Oklahoma the Dollar Generals have been a real positive. There's a lot of rural areas where a Walmart came in, then folded later. It left a 1-2 hour drive to get buy any kind of "real" food. The DG stores here have been expanding to include an actual grocery section, including fresh produce and (limited) fresh meat. More is available frozen. They have excellent…

I spent a few years in Texas and often travel by road cross country. I do have to say, finding a dollar store chain of local is a blessing in the big empty in-between.

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#17

You really have to differentiate between the food that's offered at a dollar store and everything else. I shop at the dollar store for things like shampoo, deodrant, toothpaste and it's superb deal, not in any way making me poorer. on the contrary it saves me money. for groceries, you should shop somewhere else, unless your looking for dog food. the reason there aren't more grocery stores selling good food is because…

[deleted]

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#18
post #9

I don't know about other areas, but here in the middle of Oklahoma the Dollar Generals have been a real positive. There's a lot of rural areas where a Walmart came in, then folded later. It left a 1-2 hour drive to get buy any kind of "real" food. The DG stores here have been expanding to include an actual grocery section, including fresh produce and (limited) fresh meat. More is available frozen. They have excellent…

Here in rural Iowa, Dollar General also has claimed the niche of "less stuff, but also nearby". You can either drive 5 minutes into town and go to the Dollar General for most of your basic needs, or you can drive a half hour to the nearest city with a Walmart / Target / etc.

I really quite like stopping by to grab a quick thing or two. Around here, there tends to be a local grocery chain in the same vicinity, so generally I'd pick there for more traditional grocery foods. But ran out of toothpaste or need a pack of diapers? Dollar General is the place to go.

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#19
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's fairly obvious that grocery stores would not want to be in poor neighborhoods. Why not, for us clueless people?

They answered that in their second sentence: why would they put a store in a community that can't afford to buy their products?

[deleted]

Re: A Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun

#20

You really have to differentiate between the food that's offered at a dollar store and everything else. I shop at the dollar store for things like shampoo, deodrant, toothpaste and it's superb deal, not in any way making me poorer. on the contrary it saves me money. for groceries, you should shop somewhere else, unless your looking for dog food. the reason there aren't more grocery stores selling good food is because…

You need to watch out for counterfeit products in those dollar stores. I found one selling "Colgate" toothpaste that was not the real thing.
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