David Livingston

Change Coming for Latino Grocery Stores

March 12, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
The Latino population in the U.S. has grown rapidly in recent years and with it has come a corresponding rise in the number of grocery stores catering to this diverse consumer base. Will Latino grocery stores survive as their target shopper base becomes more assimilated into American society and culture?      [more...]

Not all will survive, just the ones that change with the times and continue to provide a compelling shopping experience. There are some demographic challenges. In some parts of the country, unemployment still remains high. Hispanics are more mobile and willing to move to where the work is. So in areas where unemployment rates are low, we will see growth in Hispanic markets.

In other markets where I've worked, there seems to be pressure to crack down on illegal immigration. This is hurting local Hispanic markets because these crackdowns cause the population to shift to sanctuary cities. Existing grocers are getting better at marketing to Hispanic shoppers and continue to improve. My guess is that the small mom and pop Hispanic stores will begin to disappear and the larger, big-box Hispanic stores will continue to grow.

My ex-wife is Hispanic. Her older brother speaks Spanish but her younger brother only knows English. With the new generation of Hispanic children primarily speaking English, they will develop a culture different than their parents and it will be more in line with Anglos.