Neighbourhood retailing and food poverty: a case study in Cardiff

This paper examines the role of neighbourhood stores in supplying food items of high nutritional value in areas of poor accessibility to large supermarkets or superstores. Analysis of availability of a sample of “healthy foods” in four socially deprived areas of Cardiff suggests that such stores play only a limited role in making these foods available to local residents. Prices are also shown to be higher on average than in larger supermarkets, although, surprisingly, symbol group stores appear to carry higher prices than true independents. The future role of neighbourhood food stores is discussed, in the light of current attempts to improve the fresh food offer of symbol group stores.