Kansas Rural Grocery Store Closures (2008-2018)
From 2008-2018, a total of 105 rural grocery stores in Kansas closed. While some of those stores reopened, 54 stores remained closed.1 This means that during that ten year period, one in five rural grocery stores closed and did not reopen.
This trend in Kansas matches trends nationwide. According to a study by USDA's Economic Research Service, the number of grocery stores, particularly in rural communities, has been steadily declining, while dollar stores and supercenters continue to expand.2
Kansas Rural Grocery Store Closures by Year
1Center for Engagement and Community Development. Rural Grocery Store Database. 2019. Unpublished raw data.
2Stevens, A. (2021, December). Rural counties losing share of grocery stores, gaining other types of food retailers. Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2021/december/rural-counties-losing-share-of-grocery-stores-gaining-other-types-of-food-retailers