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Product assortment–the presence and variety of foods and beverages–is a key in-store marketing strategy to influence consumer choice. This paper examines product assortment within conveniences stores in rural Texas-border colonias. Researchers found that convenience stores in this area provide a greater assortment of less healthy foods and beverages compared with healthier foods and beverages. Convenience stores displayed a large product assortment of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), with a median of 86.5 unique varieties; candy (76 varieties); salty snacks (77 varieties); fried chips (44 varieties); cookies and pasties (19 varieties); and frozen sweets (21 varieties). This is compared with 17 varieties of non-SSBs and three varieties of baked chips. Basic food items provided by convenience stores included milk (84% of stores); fresh fruit (33%); fresh vegetables (35%); canned vegetables (78%); white bread (71%); and deli-style packaged meat (57%). The authors conclude that that there are opportunities to influence consumer food choice through programs that alter the balance between healthier and less healthy food and beverages in convenience stores.
Keywords: Corner store, Fruits and vegetables, In-store marketing, Neighborhood, Rural, Snacks, Spanish language, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Water
Focus Areas: Food Access, Food Marketing, Food Retail
Resource Type: Journal Article
Race/Ethnicity: Latino(a) or Hispanic
State: Texas
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