Dollar stores and food deserts

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between dollar store expansion and food access. We begin by documenting growth stores over time comparing areas with without poor Using a time-varying measure accessibility, we identify persistent access challenges, where supermarket large grocery have been absent for entire period (2000–2017), track into these areas. use combination geocoded retail establishments from Nielsen's TDLinx dataset precise location years entry create yearly measures accessibility. find that are most prevalent in non-metro areas, regardless status. both presence not more likely be associated categorized as “low-income low-access”; however, do evidence once enters desert, area remain supermarket. Our results indicate similar other profit-seeking retailers they locate supermarkets exist competition high, suggesting becoming key players within retailing environment. Yet, unlike traditional formats, could filling gap places no retailer will enter.