| Project: Supermarket Characteristics and Operating Costs in Low-Income Areas |
| Award Year: 2002 |
| Amount of award, fiscal 2002: $40,000.00 |
| Institution: University of Minnesota |
| Principal Investigator: Robert King |
| Status: Completed |
| Detailed Objective: This study will compare the characteristics and operating costs of supermarkets in low-income areas with those in higher income areas as well as estimating the empirical relationship between store characteristics and operating costs. After reviewing the literature on the relationship between grocery store characteristics and operating costs in low-income areas and more affluent areas, the project will examine the relationship empirically. It will merge the USDA Food Store Authorized Retailer data on food stamp redemption and food sales with the University of Minnesota Food Industry Center's Supermarket Panel to identify stores that serve a greater proportion of low-income households. The Supermarket Panel is a unique dataset in that it contains detailed information on a nationally representative sample of approximately 800 U.S. grocery stores, tracking changes in store characteristics by updating the sample on an annual basis. The project will conduct tabular and econometric analyses of the factors that affect store operating costs. Its reports will emphasize the implications of the findings for the Food Stamp Program and WIC. |
| Topic: SNAP/Food Stamp Program |
Output:
King, R., E. Leibtag, and A. Behl. Supermarket Characteristics and Operating Costs in Low-Income Areas, Agricultural Economic Report No. 839, USDA, ERS, December 2004. |