The Impact of a Pricing Manipulation Intervention on Food Sales in a Small Community Grocery Store in Baltimore City

Abstract

This study tested a pricing manipulation strategy in a small grocery store to assess the impact on food sales. The prices of 35 healthy foods were decreased over time while simultaneously increasing the prices of 45 unhealthy foods. Trends in sales were examined across each manipulation period. Total sales of healthy foods remained relatively stable over time, indicating that total quantity sold increased. In contrast, total sales of unhealthy foods generally declined during the study period, indicating that total quantity sold decreased. In this store, we found that healthy and unhealthy foods may be sensitive to pricing manipulation strategies.