Rural grocery stores may be disappearing completely, leaving few places for residents to buy fresh, healthy foods, according to a study by the University of Minnesota. Sixty-two percent of grocers intend to only own their stores for 10 years or fewer, and 71 percent do not have a successor lined up to replace them.
Small, rural supermarkets say their three biggest challenges are competing with large chains, high operating costs, and narrow profit margins. However, for many customers, these stores are the only place to get fresh produce. Almost 30 percent of rural grocers have customers who travel 30 miles or more to shop there, and 92 percent sell fresh produce to restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, and schools, reports Star Tribune. Full Story
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