Eighth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Neighborhood grocery stores are places of business supported by family structure and limited infrastructure that sell small volumes of merchandise directly to end consumers in a single commercial operation. (Castillo, 2014). The importance of this study is justified by the evident lack of available academic research which would aid in understanding the permanence of these establishments which are facing the expansion of large distribution chains and convenience stores. Understanding the complexity of the food supply of the population in urban areas is crucial to having better elements revolving around food security. The objective is to analyze the mechanisms that keep neighborhood stores in operation, the perceptions and expectations of their owners, the relationships they have with consumers and the role they play as food suppliers to the populations of the four municipalities that integrate the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 380 surveys were conducted to merchants to determine their profiles. 1140 surveys were also applied to consumers in order to define their profiles as well as their assessment of businesses where they usually make their purchases. The sample is the result of a simple random calculation, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%.