A recent study has raised alarms about the rising number of supermarkets and convenience stores around the world, suggesting that their growth is contributing to unhealthy eating habits and increasing obesity rates.
In many countries, purchasing groceries from supermarkets, convenience stores, and online platforms has become the norm. But while this trend offers convenience, it may be negatively affecting public health.
The study, published on March 3 in collaboration with Unicef, analyzed shopping habits across 97 countries over the past 15 years. The findings highlight a sharp increase in the number of chain grocery stores, accompanied by a surge in consumer spending both in-store and online. However, this rise in convenience has come at a significant health cost, with people in countries that boast the highest number of such stores per capita consuming more unhealthy food and experiencing higher obesity rates.
The Growth of Chain Grocery Stores
The research examined food industry data from a global business database to track changes in the food retail sector over time. It focused on the types of stores, consumer spending patterns, and the sale of unhealthy processed foods, correlating these trends with obesity statistics from a major international health initiative.
The study found that the number of chain grocery stores (supermarkets and convenience stores) per 10,000 people globally has increased by 23.6% over the past 15 years, from 2009 to 2023. While high-income countries naturally have a higher density of these stores, it is in low- and middle-income countries where growth has been the most rapid.
Factors like urbanization, rising incomes, and increasing consumer demand have attracted large retail companies to these emerging markets. For instance, countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia have seen annual growth rates of 21%, 18%, and 12% respectively in the number of chain grocery stores.
The Shift to Online Shopping
The study also highlights the rapid rise of online grocery shopping, with global spending on online food purchases increasing by 325% from 2014 to 2023. Among the 27 countries examined for online grocery trends, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States were the highest spenders. In 2023, the average person in the UAE spent approximately US$617, marking a 570% increase from 2014, while in the U.S., average spending reached US$387, a 125% rise over the same period.
The Covid-19 pandemic appears to have accelerated the shift to online grocery shopping, and many consumers have continued this habit even after the pandemic’s peak.
Health Implications
While the growing presence of chain grocery stores and the convenience of online shopping have made food more accessible, the study’s authors are concerned about the health consequences. The increased availability of unhealthy processed foods, combined with a higher density of stores, appears to correlate with rising obesity rates, particularly in countries where retail chains have expanded rapidly.
As supermarkets and convenience stores continue to proliferate, the study urges further investigation into their long-term effects on public health, calling for measures to mitigate the negative impact of this retail boom on diets and overall well-being.
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