Rural grocery stores are disappearing fast for a variety of reasons. Experts are worried it’s going to turn large parts of the state into a food desert. The solution may lie in self-serve grocery stores, like one in Evansville that’s a huge hit.
Here’s Five Fast Facts about Minnesota’s Self-Service Grocery Store:
- 🌵A Desert? - A food desert is an area where residents don’t have immediate access to healthier food options. Since 235,000 MN residents live more than 10 miles from a grocery store or supermarket, we have one in the making.
- 🔑DIY - The store is staffed and open for regular hours, but then operates like a gym after: customers pay a membership, and get a key fob that lets you in whenever you’d like. Shoppers can check out on their phones with a scanner app or use a self-checkout. Yes, there is a security system.
- 🛍️Proof of Concept - Sweden served as kind of a patient zero for the model. A company called Lifvs opening 27 stores in rural areas from the start of 2020. The locals love them.
- 🥫Big Business - The store hoped to sell 50 memberships in its first year. They sold 50 in the first WEEK. Clearly people are happy that they don’t have to make a 40-mile round trip to Alexandria. Especially because it saves them gas.
- 💲Price Check - Prices are kept competitive and the store is stocked with plenty of choices. Customers can make requests on a chalkboard by the door.
🔥Bottom line: If the store in Evansville continues to be successful, this is a definite model other rural areas need to take advantage of as soon as possible. Especially if the locals aren’t getting stiffed on prices.
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