Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Profitability: Insights From a Corner Store Intervention in New Orleans, Louisiana

Food store environments can influence consumers' choices but little is known about the financial feasibility of carrying healthier products. This case study evaluated the profits of a small store and the effect of infrastructure changes on produce availability and customer response. Invoice and inventory data were collected and customer intercept surveys (n = 323) measured exposure to promotions and awareness of a new cooler. Produce accounted for a greater percentage of store profits than energy-dense snacks, although the main sources of profit were tobacco, beer, and soft-drinks. The number of produce items on display 1 year after the intervention increased by 16%, whereas energy-dense snacks decreased. Customers exposed to at least one promotion were more likely (chi(2)= 12.4, p < 0.001) to notice the cooler than those who were not. These results could encourage store owners to stock and promote healthier items.