Corner Store Makeovers in East Los Angeles: Store Selection

Introduction: Corner store makeovers are an emerging strategy to increase the availability of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and other healthy foods in underserved communities. An early challenge in the makeover process is selecting a partner store able to successfully implement and maintain healthy changes. As part of a large corner store makeover intervention in East LA, the UCLA Center for Population Health and Health Disparities has developed a framework to guide the selection of partner stores. The framework, based on conceptual reasoning and the experience of a corner store makeover expert, uses 34 store characteristics to assess the likelihood a makeover will be successful. Characteristics we believe to be important include store location, size, inventory, customer service, foot traffic, and customer demographics. Methods: We conducted observations at a total of 84 stores in East LA and used the framework to select four partner stores for makeovers. Results: Our framework suggests that 34 of the 84 stores (40%) would be poor candidates for a corner store makeover because they were not in a residential neighborhood or were too small to sell a wide range of healthy foods. We used the framework to assess the remaining 54 stores and enrolled four stores we believe have a high potential for success. Discussion: Our study is the first that we know of to develop and implement a framework for selecting partner stores for a corner store makeover.