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Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

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Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#61

Post by tspike »

mumblemumble wrote: post #51
gameswithgo wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When dollar stores replace grocery stores in a community it reduces the quality of nutrition available. Potential vicious cycle there. Economic downturn --> worse nutrition -> decline in mental and physical health of community -> more downturn

There's a part of me that wants to push back against this idea that fresh produce is synonymous with good nutrition. Frozen produce - which the dollar stores in my area do carry - tends to be more nutritious nowadays. It is also much easier to prepare, and, assuming you have access to a freezer, is less susceptible to spoilage. And if your food preparation options don't amount to much more than a microwave oven, or y…

It's worth pointing out the difference between frozen produce (which, as you say, is nutritionally sound) and frozen TV dinners, which often contain multiple times the daily recommended intake of sodium and typically have miniscule portions of vegetables.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#62

Post by ybean »

MattGaiser wrote: post #49
ybean wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is an incredibly privileged response to something like this. No one who is living in poverty or near the edge of poverty can even consider the additional cost associated with shipping or delivery, let alone on a weekly basis for core staples. Reasonably priced fresh food access within walking distance should be a basic right. However, the people who need this most are those who are underserved.

But that’s my point. The case for retail increasingly only makes sense if a few extra dollars here and there matter to you and you need the savings it can provide. So it makes sense that any increase in retail would be meant to serve that population.

Thanks for clarifying.

I guess the point left to further discussion would be whether or not these stores truly server that population.

They clearly found a gap and a solid business model (for now) but is it a success from capitalism is concerned? or humanitarianism is concerned? I'd say the former and maybe a bandaid for the latter in some regions.

Interesting to watch the changes unfold.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#63

Post by ravila4 »

I am always looking for ways to live frugally, and I think dollar stores have their niche, and there is good reason for their success.

In my experience, they are one of the best options for buying budget non-food items at low volumes where quality is not the most important factor. Things like cleaning products, office supplies, arts and crafts supplies, batteries, deodorant, candles, even common tools and repair equipment.

The reason is that if I want to save on many of this items, I would need to buy in bulk at a large store like Costco, or order on Amazon - at a greater volume than I need, and at a steeper price. (e.g. batteries, pens, superglue, oven cleaner, drywall patcher,rope etc..)

Not everything you use needs to be of premium quality, and these are the kind of items that large department stores and large online retailers have trouble competing against when selling at low volumes.

Now when it comes to food, there are better cheap ways to help undeserved communities. Large department stores waste a lot of good produce because it is close to their expiration date. Where I live, a couple of grocery stores specialize on selling this type of produce at a discount.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#64

Post by shagmin »

jcims wrote: post #16

It's not clear to me what the problem is that the article is outlining. The Dollar General near me has the exact same brands as you would find in any larger retail establishment, they just have found a way to stock the 80% that folks typically need. They are filling a niche between the gas station convenience store and traditional grocery/big box retail. They don't have a produce section, just a bit of fruit. Is that…

I don't think Dollar General is the bad guy so much as a symptom of a problem. As it is, they're often in low income areas and have a high markup. Grocery stores have low margins that prevent them from entering these markets (hence food deserts). Dollar General fills that niche - but as a result low income people who already spend a disproportionate amount of their income on groceries have to pay that higher markup as well. Meanwhile I can go to Trader Joe's or something and get much better stuff, cheaper too.

I remember living in a rural area where people couldn't afford a car, but could walk to a gas station and pay 3x the prices on everything compared to if they bought everything at grocery store - it just helps keep them poor. And often, I think people see "dollar" in the name, and think that automatically means cheap, but being poor doesn't mean being financially literate.

If people weren't segregated into rich areas | poor areas, or maybe grocery stores found some other way to be profitable in low income areas, or some other thing, this wouldn't be such a problem. But as it is right now, they are filling a need, granted with negative side effects.

Edit: I realize the article focuses more on Dollar Generals causing food desserts, rather than being a response to them. Guess I'm focusing on more what I've seen.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#65

Post by travisgriggs »

mithr wrote: post #45

Brings to mind Vimes' "'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness", from Terry Pratchett's Discworld: "The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and…

I would give 50 upvotes if I could for the Pratchett reference.

And a good explanation to boot.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#66

Post by jcims »

safog wrote: post #40
jcims wrote: post #16

It's not clear to me what the problem is that the article is outlining. The Dollar General near me has the exact same brands as you would find in any larger retail establishment, they just have found a way to stock the 80% that folks typically need. They are filling a niche between the gas station convenience store and traditional grocery/big box retail. They don't have a produce section, just a bit of fruit. Is that…

After a couple of levels of indirection, I think the whole argument hinges on one anecdote. It might indicate a general pattern, but no actual authoritative sources back it up. Original Article quotes "growing evidence suggests these stores are not merely a byproduct of economic distress. They’re a cause of it. In small towns and urban neighborhoods alike, dollar stores are triggering the closure of grocery stores, e…

Dollar General specifically also goes to places that have no local community retail. There is one three miles from me that was built a few years ago in this exact situation. Yet we won't see any quotes about that in articles like this that are just focusing on the negative.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#69

Post by runawaybottle »

If you’ve passed by working class communities in a big city, all you would see throughout the pandemic are food lines. Even with the stimulus, the working poor were lining up for food. Not ready to serve meals, but literal eggs, milk, bread.

I am not surprised at all thriftiness is back.

Re: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store openings in the U.S.

#70

Post by jcims »

gameswithgo wrote: post #30
jcims wrote: post #16

It's not clear to me what the problem is that the article is outlining. The Dollar General near me has the exact same brands as you would find in any larger retail establishment, they just have found a way to stock the 80% that folks typically need. They are filling a niche between the gas station convenience store and traditional grocery/big box retail. They don't have a produce section, just a bit of fruit. Is that…

When dollar stores replace grocery stores in a community it reduces the quality of nutrition available. Potential vicious cycle there. Economic downturn --> worse nutrition -> decline in mental and physical health of community -> more downturn

Nutrition available =/= nutrition consumed. If there was a large market for produce someone would seek to fill it...minimally with produce stands/farmers markets/etc.
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