We all see and feel the rise of grocery prices, in comparison with per-2019 era. But the data gathered through all 50 states analyzed the prices of 26 common grocery items in each of the 50 states, then compared the prices to the median household income in order to determine which consumers are spending the greatest percentage of their income on groceries. The data revealed that consumers in Southern states such as Mississippi (2.64%), West Virginia (2.57%), Arkansas (2.49%), Kentucky (2.41%) and Louisiana (2.39%) spend the most per month on trips to the grocery store.

And this is important because the grocery prices in Mississippi are actually relatively low – the ninth-cheapest in the nation. However, the state has the lowest median annual household income in the country at just $52,985. Even with relatively low grocery prices overall, Mississippians are spending a higher percentage of their income on groceries than people in any other state.

This is important for all retailers, but, we think, especially so for our primary contingent of readers – owners and operators of convenience stores.

More and more, your customers are trying to align their unchanged income with increased prices on food, and in areas with low median income, even when the grocery prices are reasonable, the population ends up spending a higher percentage of their hard-earned money than in states where the products may be more expensive, but the median income is higher. That means that they could buy less from you.

Rather than just stating the facts, which we usually do, we’d like to make a suggestion.

Your community – the area where you operate – is vitally important for your business. Learning about the critical socioeconomic data like median income and household composition, at a highly granular level that tells you about specifics and peculiarities of every square mile in the nation is invaluable. With this knowledge you can review your product offerings and maximize the categories, brands and SKUs that your customers can easily afford on their paychecks.

It will make them loyal more than any loyalty program.

It will give them a feeling that they have a friend that cares.

It will bind them to you, to your store, to your brand, for life.

And it will also improve your bottom line.

To get the super-accurate data we mentioned above – histori, contact Ticon and inquire about a unique map-based demographics platform for retailers, from our new partner Map AI.

And prepare to be amazed.