What factors are most important to ensure the success of a corner store initiative?
Many factors influence the success of corner store projects. Like other community projects, they are more likely to be effective when they are grounded in the community, and when residents have significant input and involvement. Community members and organizations can play many important roles in corner store initiatives (see #9 and #10). Providing appropriate incentives and support to help store owners overcome barriers to selling healthy foods successfully is another key factor. This may include equipment, financing, training, and/or technical assistance. Generally, it’s a good idea to start small and build up to more significant changes as rapport and trust develop with the store owner. It’s also crucial to choose the stores well, and to ensure that the owners are committed to the partnership and have the motivation and capacity to sell healthy items effectively (see #12 and #13). The owners need to be willing to invest extra effort initially, and to sustain changes on their own aft
