Since the pandemic, dollar stores have become more widespread than ever. They became so profitable that they opened even more new stores. In 2021, 4 of every 10 new stores that opened in the U.S. were dollar stores.
Dollar stores are springing up in both low-income and wealthy Black neighborhoods. But this isn’t good news. In metro areas like New York and Los Angeles, full-service grocery stores are a long drive from Black residents. Dollar stores became the only nearby option. And this is a problem.
Dollar stores sell mostly processed foods. And the prices are often deceiving because some items are sold in smaller containers with a higher unit price. On top of all of this, these stores also choke out local businesses that could provide healthier and more nutritious fresh food.
Since 2019, over 75 communities voted down proposed dollar stores. We could also divest from these stores, refusing to shop there and pooling our money to open a community-owned grocery store instead.
Divesting and fighting against these dollar-store corporations in our communities gives us control of what we feed our families. These stores exploit us and offer food that keeps us unhealthy. Let’s support Black farmers and Black-owned local businesses instead.