Corner Store Retailers’ Perspectives on a Discontinued Healthy Corner Store Initiative

Making fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) more widely available has been a prominent focus of healthy retail interventions and may have an important role in improving food access and diet quality at the population level. ‘Healthy retail’ interventions in corner/convenience stores (CS) are increasingly being adopted by public health practitioners to address the diet-related risk factors, improve food access at the community level, and change food retail environments. Private sector retailers are integral to the success of public health retailing interventions, making their perspectives and experiences critical. There is a particular need for greater evidence from retailers in settings where evaluations of these interventions have yielded null or mixed results. Through semi-structured interviews with 8 CS retailers (7 from urban settings and 1 from rural) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, this study aimed to describe experiences and critical factors regarding the feasibility and sustainability of a healthy CS program that was not sustained following the pilot testing phase, with a specific focus on the sale of FFV. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data, which indicated that retailers faced two dominant challenges with selling FFV in CS: both relate to how these stores are embedded in the larger local and global food system. We join others in arguing that efforts and support for retail interventions aiming to increase the availability of FFV in CS need to address the structure and relations of the food system, as an upstream determinant of CS retailer interest and motivation.

Impact of a Healthy Retail Intervention on Fruits and Vegetables and Total Sales in Tribally Owned Convenience Stores: Findings From the THRIVE Study

Background Healthy retail interventions are a recommended intervention strategy to address diet-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes; however, retail managers are concerned about their bottom line. This study’s aim was to assess the impact of a healthy retail intervention on fruits and vegetables (FV) sales, as well as total sales, in tribally owned convenience stores where grocery stores are scarce. Method We analyzed weekly sales data over the first 6 months of a healthy retail intervention. We assessed the proportion of sales from two FV baskets. The FV basket included all fresh, canned, and dried FV sold at stores; while the fruits, vegetables, and salads (FVS) basket included all FV items as well as all salads sold. We compared mean weekly sales rates in intervention and control stores over the 6-month period using generalized estimating equations models to account for repeated measures. Results Mean weekly FV basket sales rates were higher in intervention stores than control stores in both Nations. Mean weekly FVS baskets sales were significantly higher in intervention stores than control stores in one Nation and were higher, but not statistically significant, in intervention stores in the other Nation. Total sales remained steady throughout the intervention period. Conclusions The THRIVE (Tribal Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments) intervention increased FV sales without negatively affecting total sales. Policy and Practice Implications. Healthy retail interventions in tribal convenience stores, where many Native Americans living in rural areas shop due to scarcity of grocery stores, could improve diet-related disparities without reducing total sales.

Youth Willingness to Purchase Whole Grain Snack Packs from New York City Corner Stores Participating in a Healthy Retail Program

Corners stores in low-income communities are a promising setting to intervene in youth whole grain intake. One strategy that may encourage whole grain intake is if corner stores were to pair and sell whole grain snacks in combination with either a liked fruit or vegetable and an optional condiment (i.e., a whole grain snack pack). This study examined youth in terms of their (1) liking of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain snacks; (2) perceptions about which fruits and vegetables pair best with whole grain snacks; and (3) willingness to pay for a whole grain snack pack. One-time intercept surveys were conducted with 10–18-year-olds (n = 402) who visited a New York City (NYC) corner store (n = 34) participating in the City Harvest Healthy Retail Program. On average, youth were willing to spend $2.38 (SD $4.32) on a whole grain snack pack. Higher overall liking scores for vegetables and whole grain snacks were associated with willingness to spend 24.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.5–38.7%) and 21.6% (95%CI: 5.2–40.6%) more on whole grain snack packs, respectively. In conclusion, youth are receptive to purchasing whole grain snack packs from NYC corner stores participating in a healthy retail program.

Process Evaluation Tool Development and Fidelity of Healthy Retail Interventions in American Indian Tribally Owned Convenience Stores: the Tribal Health Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) Study

ABSTRACT Background The Tribal Health Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) study aimed to increase healthy food access in 2 rural American Indian communities. The intervention sought to increase fruit and vegetable availability, variety, and convenience through placement, promotion, and pricing of healthy foods and beverages in tribal convenience stores. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the development and implementation of the study process evaluation tool to assess intervention fidelity as part of this cluster-controlled trial. Methods Eight stores (2 intervention and 2 control stores per Nation) participated in the study, implemented from May 2016 to May 2017. A web-based survey tailored to store layouts and intervention components assessed how often intervention items were available, approximate quantity available, and whether placement of healthier food items and promotional materials were implemented as designed. After pilot testing the survey, tribal staff members implemented it to collect process evaluation data in the 8 stores during a period of 9–12 mo, assessing study implementation and potential changes in control stores. Results Promotional materials were available ≥75% of the time for most intervention locations. Fruit availability was similar in Nation A and Nation B intervention stores (79–100% compared with 70–100%), whereas fresh vegetable availability was higher in Nation B compared with Nation A (95–96% compared with 55–75%). Both control stores in Nation A and 1 control store in Nation B had moderate fruit and vegetable availability, ranging from 45% to 52%. No control stores in either Nation used intervention promotional materials. Conclusions Process evaluation data indicate that the study was implemented with moderate to high fidelity. The development and implementation of the tool can inform future healthy retail interventions that aim to improve rural and tribal food environments.