Food Shoppers Flock to Dollar Stores in NY and Elsewhere

Candy is big seller at dollar stores.

On the Upper West Side and elsewhere in New York City, dollar stores abound.  A new study by Nielsen has found that wealthier shoppers are spending more at these budget outlets than ever before–and some of that spending is going toward foods like candies, cookies and snacks.

In fact, higher income folks are shelling out 18 percent more at dollar stores in the second half of 2008 compared to the same period last year.

Dollar stores, traditionally a haven for less affluent shoppers, take their name from the fact that originally they sold most of their goods–ranging from household cleaning supplies to cheese–at or below a dollar.  Today, the stores offer products at a range of prices.

According to Nielsen, an estimated 65 million U.S. consumers shopped at dollar stores in 2008.

Are You A Dollar Store Convert?

• Yes, it’s a great recession buster.
• No, I’d rather starve than show my face at one of those places.
• If you’re a dollar store shopper, what foods do you buy there?

Related Stories:

Whole Foods is Coming To 97th and Columbus on the Upper West Side

Trader Joes is Coming to 72nd and Broadway on the Upper West Side

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5960915&lang=en

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