Based on the 115 documents identified with the PRISMA guidelines, Figure 2 shows that research on corner stores has expanded significantly since 2013, with notable peaks in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Table 1 shows that the primary subject areas are medicine (30.3%), social sciences (21.2%), and nursing (10.4%), which highlights the strong focus on public health and nutrition. Other fields such as business, environmental science, and economics contribute insights into retail operations and urban development.

Table 2 illustrates that most publications (80.9%) are journal articles, demonstrating their scholarly rigor, while book chapters (7.8%) and conference papers represent a smaller portion. Access remains a challenge, as only 49.6% of studies offer open access, limiting availability to researchers and policymakers. English dominates (97.4%), ensuring global reach, but a broader linguistic diversity could enhance inclusivity.

Citation analysis highlights the most influential publications in corner store research. The most frequently cited articles explore the role of corner stores in shaping food environments and childhood obesity, underscoring their impact on dietary behaviors and public health interventions (Table 3). Several highly cited studies focus on nutrition interventions, consumer purchasing patterns, and the availability of healthy food options in low-income urban areas. Therefore, citation trends confirm that corner store research is closely tied to public health, nutrition policy, and food accessibility, reinforcing their role as critical community resources in urban environments.

Of the 78 sources in which the 115 documents analyzed are published, Table 4 shows the journals with the highest impact, where the impact is measured by cumulative citations on the topic of corner stores and the H-index, which represents the number of documents that have received at least h citations. In this case, Public Health Nutrition is the journal with the highest impact on the topic of corner stores, with 396 citations in Scopus, 268 citations in WoS and an H-index of 7, which means that at least 7 articles on corner stores have received at least 7 citations each. From this list of journals, in addition to journals in the fields of public health and nutrition, journals in other fields are identified, such as the Journal of Sociolinguistics, Social Semiotics, Journal of Political Marketing and Social and Cultural Geography, which are characterized by having received between 28 and 69 cumulative citations on the topic of corner stores.

Collaboration is high, with 75.7% of publications co-authored. The collaboration index (5.85) reflects strong teamwork, particularly in public health. Table 5 shows that key contributors include Joel Gittelsohn (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health), Allison Karpyn (University of Delaware), and Sandy Sherman (The Food Trust), who have authored multiple influential studies.

From the co-authorship analysis, three co-authorship clusters are identified, as shown in Figure 3, where a first cluster highlights authors such as Karpyn, Sherman, Vander Veur, Foster, Mallya, Sandoval and McCoy, who are linked by several common articles (1, 9, 43–47). A second cluster consists of Prelip, Glik, Sharif and Ortega, who have co-authored four papers (11, 48–51). The third cluster is made up of a single author, Gittelsohn, who contributes the largest number of papers on corner stores, but his co-authors do not achieve a significant number of published papers to appear in the above cluster.

Regarding the territorial distribution of scientific production on corner stores, Figure 4 shows that the United States dominates research output (68.7%), followed by Canada and the UK (5.2% each). Latin America (15.7%) shows growing interest, while contributions from Asia, Africa, and Oceania remain limited. Institutional leadership (Table 6) aligns with this trend, as the top publishing institutions are primarily based in United States.

Keyword analysis reveals three major thematic clusters in corner store research (Figure 5). The first cluster focuses on food environments, obesity, and diet highlighting concerns about nutrition and health disparities. The second cluster emphasizes community and retailing, examining how corner stores serve as economic and social hubs in urban settings. The third cluster centers on consumer behavior and purchasing patterns, particularly in low-income neighborhoods.

The co-occurrence analysis from Figure 6 shows strong associations between corner stores, food deserts, and healthy food access, reinforcing the role of these stores in shaping dietary choices. Additionally, Table 7 shows the keyword frequency analysis, indicating that the clusters of food environment, community, and corner store are related to dominant research topics such as public health, nutrition, and urban food systems, aligning with ongoing discussions on food accessibility and community health initiatives.

According to the literature, corner stores are sometimes viewed negatively due to their association with selling unhealthy products and contributing to poor diet-related health outcomes (10, 11). As food insecurity significantly impacts overall public health (52), healthy corner store programs are devoted to provide a proper food environment and change consumer behavior (53). Corner stores are increasingly recognized as key points for nutrition interventions to influence consumers to make healthier choices more frequently (54), especially in food deserts or underserved urban areas with limited access to fresh and healthy foods (55). Several studies emphasize that improving the availability of nutritious options in these stores can positively influence dietary habits (56, 57), particularly among low-income and minority populations who rely on them as primary food sources (58, 59).

Customers, including children and adolescents, frequently purchase beverages, chips, and prepared food items, which are often high in sugar and sodium (1, 47). In this sense, Sadler and Saxe-Custack (60) indicate that corner stores can influence children’s diets, so it is necessary to examine children’s purchasing patterns before and after school in proximity to urban corner stores, since children frequently bought high-calorie, low-nutrition items like sugary snacks and drinks. However, intervention programs that included fresh produce and healthier snack alternatives were linked to moderate shifts in purchasing habits (45), highlighting the importance of creating child-targeted nutritional interventions at corner stores to reduce calorie-dense, nutrient-poor food intake and promote healthier alternatives (46). Dannefer et al. (61), Lucan et al. (46) and Albert et al. (48) demonstrate the potential for corner stores to expand access to healthier foods through targeted interventions by conducting studies on the effects of introducing healthier food items in corner stores. They observed that the increased availability of fresh produce, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products could significantly influence purchasing patterns. These initiatives faced challenges, including consumer demand for healthier items, logistical issues related to space and refrigeration, and the structure and relations of the food system (62, 63). Then, these findings suggest that the success of corner store interventions may depend on simultaneous efforts to promote awareness and affordability of healthy food options within these communities (59).

Similarly, Song et al. (64) and Young et al. (65) report on the outcomes of culturally tailored programs to increase sales, focusing on community-specific strategies, such as increasing the stock and promotion of healthy foods and engaging residents through food justice events and taste-testing demonstrations. They also found that store owners participating in these initiatives expressed a willingness to sustain the changes if given adequate support and resources. Thus, in order to improve the relationship and sourcing with suppliers that provide mainly healthy food/beverages, it is necessary to address the ethnic and cultural characteristics of the store owners (66).

Mah et al. (67) emphasizes that intersectoral collaboration between health units, local governments, and business owners is essential for sustaining corner store interventions. This approach underscores the importance of partnerships and training in maintaining a consistent stock of nutritious items and effectively promoting them to local communities. Similarly, external support, such as training for store owners, point-of-purchase promotions, and nutritional labeling, has been shown to play a crucial role in the successful adoption of healthier food stocking practices (68, 69). Specific to store owners, they face challenges such as obtaining high-quality produce at reasonable prices and in small quantities, which affects their ability to offer healthier options (2). DeWeese et al. (70) highlight the need for assisting them in understanding product properties and nutritional content, which is key to encouraging the stocking of a broader variety of fruits and vegetables. Interventions and support for store owners can also be used through a smartphone application to facilitate the distribution of healthy food (71).

Further support strategies aimed at encouraging customers to choose healthier food options, thereby improving nutrition and addressing obesity in low-income populations, include placing healthy items at checkout aisles, using in-store signage to promote these options, and enlisting community-based organizations for support. Additionally, infrastructure enhancements, such as refrigeration for low-fat milk, fruits, and vegetables, shelving enhancements and improved storage facilities, are often necessary to make these interventions feasible and sustainable (63, 72). In addition to food sales, corner stores become primary antibiotic dispensaries in countries where antibiotics such as amoxicillin and tetracycline are widely available without prescription, which can facilitate overuse and contribute to antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This represents a need to implement regulations to change the availability of antibiotics to regulate public health (73).

The literature shows that corner stores serve as essential community institutions in urban neighborhoods, particularly within low-income and immigrant communities, where they fulfill roles beyond simple retail (74). Corner stores are not only a source of commercial products and services, but also a recreational center, a place for social gatherings and neighborhood activities, fostering relationships and social cohesion (25, 75). This social function is crucial, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where the shopping experience becomes a substitute for leisure activities (29).

Studies have highlighted these stores as spaces for social interaction, cultural exchange, and economic support, shaping the dynamics of community life and resilience in significant ways (2). Everts (76) explored this phenomenon in an ethnographic study of immigrant-owned stores in Germany, revealing that interactions between shopkeepers and customers contributed to a sense of belonging and community identity. The shared practices within these stores, such as informal conversations and personalized service, create a familiar environment that reinforces social bonds (77). Similarly, Mayer et al. (2) found that store owners recognized their role as trusted community figures, often engaging in discussions with customers about health and other local issues. These interactions show that corner stores not only fulfill commercial needs but also provide a space where trust and rapport succeed (78, 79). Corner stores have even become a new space for political interaction, where candidates can interact and communicate with the local context, offering an alternative to top-down politics that do not engage with voters (80).

The cultural significance of corner stores is particularly notable in immigrant and ethnic neighborhoods, where they act as venues for cultural affirmation and identity (81). Andrade et al. (28) discuss how corner stores in Latin American communities operate on cultural values of trust, commitment, and loyalty, with store owners and customers developing close relationships that go beyond transactional interactions. In this regard, Dombrowski and Kelley (74) conceptualize corner stores as community-based enterprises where owners prioritize public health and community well-being, often over profit, reinforcing their role as culturally rooted establishments that cater to local social needs. Corner stores are critical for economic survival in economically marginalized communities by providing informal financial services, such as short-term credit (25). Puchalski (82) found that many low-income residents rely on corner convenience stores for short-term, interest-free credit, especially when conventional credit options are unavailable or unaffordable. This informal in-store credit system enables residents to manage financial instability and access essentials even during economic downturns. Hippert (79, 83) similarly observed that in the Dominican Republic, migrant Haitians relied on informal credit systems to maintain food security, underscoring how corner stores act as financial safety nets by facilitating resource exchange and offering flexible payment options.

While corner stores provide indispensable support, they also face socio-economic challenges that affect their operations and relations with the community. Gardner-Buckshaw (10) notes that urban corner stores face reputational and operational challenges due to the sale of items like liquor, cigarettes, and high-calorie snacks, which some view as “predatory” due to their potential to exploit vulnerable populations. These dynamics highlight a tension in the community role of corner stores, so while they meet immediate needs, they may also reinforce health and socio-economic issues. However, BeLue et al. (4) found that corner shop owners reported that tobacco products and hot food were their best selling items, while fruit and vegetables were perceived as unmarketable. This presents a challenge in matching community needs with corner shop provision and services, particularly given that store owners sometimes did not feel that they belonged to the community in which their corner shop was located.

As a potential solution to this issue, corner stores should respond to the perceptions and requirements of their customers to better meet community needs (84), offer stock items that cater to the cultural preferences of the local community and educate customers about unique and high-quality products to effectively engage with their local communities, increase patronage and customer satisfaction, promote community representation and inclusiveness, enhance shopping experience, and encourage loyalty (11, 26, 85). In this way, interaction and engagement with the community and stakeholders is required to incorporate improvement plans for corner store networks (13, 86), including collaboration to promote healthy food option to improve community health (87) and support economic and social structures within the community (88).

Consumer behavior in corner stores are significantly influenced by store location (89), product availability (90), and customer demographics (91), which together shape purchasing patterns across urban communities. Frequent purchases of high-calorie, low-nutrient items are common in corner stores, with studies showing that these purchases are often made on a daily or weekly basis (89). Kiszko et al. (7) found that consumers typically bought sugary beverages, snacks, and fast food items like sandwiches and chips. Lent et al. (1) observed that children, adolescents, and adults frequently purchased snacks and beverages high in sugar, sodium, and fat, contributing substantially to their daily caloric intake. Similarly, Borradaile et al. (43) identify that the most frequently purchased items in corner stores are high-energy low-nutritive foods and beverages, contributing significantly to energy intake among urban school children. These studies noted that most consumers frequented these stores due to proximity to their homes and convenient location, especially in areas with limited transportation options, highlighting that consumers prioritize location and ease of access over product variety (4, 7, 89).

Among low-income, urban youth, corner store shopping begins at an early age, often with family members, and many young people report visiting these stores independently. In this case, the primary factors driving their choice of a specific corner store are product offerings, expressing a desire for a mix of healthy and less-healthy foods in their ideal corner store (47). This is supported by the trend that young people are receptive to buying healthy food, such as wholefood snack packs on the corner (92), and that initiatives such as child-only vouchers can change young people’s consumption patterns, encouraging the consumption of healthier foods (93). In addition, the study by Lewis et al. (94) shows that people with low income and home ownership are associated with lower consumption of beverages and fiber, and lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. According to Tibbits et al. (95), while most customers felt it was easy to find healthy options at corner stores, less than half actually purchased any healthy foods, being women and Hispanic/Latino customers the most likely to buy at least one type of healthy item.

Regarding product offerings, corner store owners often stock products that are in high demand among their customers (4), and products representing high profits such as unhealthy snacks and sugary beverages (46, 96), so the availability of certain products, such as fruit and vegetables, will depend on the likelihood that customers will buy them (97). This means that increasing the variety of healthier food options for health-conscious consumers, especially in low-income areas, will depend on changing consumer habits (98, 99), change in infrastructure (5) and the cultural relevance of such products to meet the preferences of local customers (11). If so, Martin et al. (97) suggest that increasing the range of fruit and vegetables available in corner stores may increase consumption, particularly among food insecure and low-income populations at risk of health inequalities. Likewise, pricing experiments, such as increasing the price of sugar-sweetened beverages to lower the price of water could maintain profitability while promoting healthier choices (100).

On the other hand, understanding culture also has a direct impact on consumer loyalty (101), which can lead to the provision of personalized services, such as miniaturization, which introduce smaller, affordable product sizes to meet the consumer’s consumption needs and make products more accessible (25, 102), since the price by itself is significant to customer satisfaction (103). This is often the case for both food and other products, such as tobacco (cigars and cigarettes), which are sold individually and unpackaged in corner stores (9). In developing countries, Osakwe (104) shows that service quality components such as personal interaction, store reliability and physical store attributes, and customer characteristics such as relationship length, household size, gender and income level are necessary conditions for increasing customer share of wallet in the context of corner stores. Furthermore, social interaction and customer satisfaction also influence consumer patronage (105), which can create a competitive advantage to avoid losing customers to supermarkets that can offer lower prices and a wider selection (106). Moll Brandão et al. (29) emphasize that the social component of corner stores is more influential in terms of purchase decisions and patronage than a good product range and shop design, achieved through a good relationship with store owners and other customers, which creates a pleasant shopping experience.

The presence of competitors and other retail establishments in the vicinity also affects the demand for specific products and the decision on product offerings and store locations (107, 108). Then, surveys and purchase inventories can help corner stores understand the frequency of shopping and motivations for choosing a particular store and what products are frequently bought (7). Moreover, purchasing behavior can be influenced by other factors. One of them is product placement, which in the case of children’s purchases that are often impulsive and influenced by the prominent placement of sugary and salty snacks near the counter (43). Other factors are the offer of coupons and discounts to attract price-sensitive customers and stimulate purchases (23), in-store cooking demonstrations to educate customers on preparing healthy meals, which can also increase sales of fresh produce (65), provide excellent customer service to enhance the shopping experience and encourage repeat visits (11), regularly update store displays, improve cleanliness, and enhance the store’s exterior to create a welcoming environment (13, 109).

Corner stores are crucial for the social, economic and cultural vitality of neighborhoods (110), impacting the neighborhood economy, job market, and quality of life of residents (111), and being resilient to economic and institutional challenges from urban decline, competing against large supermarkets and wholesale retailers, and the emergence of large discount stores (112). The business models and economic roles of neighborhood stores respond to these challenges through location strategies (113), stocking practices (114), community engagement strategies, customer demographics and surrounding competition (115), adaptation to local demand and economic constraints (116), and customer service and relationship marketing (28, 117).

Corner store customers often prioritizes location and the shopping environment, making them to be chosen based on their convenience and the overall experience they offer, which includes factors like cleanliness, layout, ambiance, positive customer service, availability of culturally appropriate items, and quality fresh fruit (11, 113). In this regard, placement of stock near the front of corner stores increased purchase of produce, which incentivize corner stores to stock and prominently display good-quality produce to their consume (118). The, the physical arrangement of products and their assortment within the store can significantly influence consumer purchase decisions, so corner stores may adjust their layout to optimize product visibility and accessibility, thereby increasing sales (119). Likewise, the financial viability of carrying products also determines the supply of goods to consumers, so the main sources of profit in corner stores tend to be tobacco, hot food items, beer and soft drinks (4, 120).

To satisfy local demand and economic constraints, corner stores can adopt a model where they act as satellites of larger chains, stocking a selected mix of products specifically designed to meet the needs of low-income communities and ensuring that the product range is relevant and accessible (121). It implies the use of dynamic sourcing models and marketing to cater to the specific needs of their community, offering products at affordable prices and reaching community members with limited economic resources (122). Similarly, in rural areas, store owners are adapting by selling products that meet local demand, while focusing on customer service and product quality (123). However, many corner stores rely on cash-and-carry practices for fresh produce, which can limit the variety and quantity of products available, representing a need for good logistics management (114). Then, collaborations between suppliers and corner stores can increase access to products in low-income neighborhoods, representing a new model to increase access to community (124). In this sense, long-term relationships between store owners and distributors can increase influence over promotions, product placement, stocking decisions and point-of-sale advertising, thereby reducing perceived financial risk or customer dissatisfaction (125).

In addition to providing goods, corner stores can also provide services that act as mechanisms for financial inclusion. In Chile, for example, correspondent banking services have been introduced in corner stores, allowing people to access a range of banking and payment services (126). Other consumer-focused services include loyalty programs through mobile apps, which offer rewards and discounts to frequent customers and provide valuable data for targeted marketing and promotions (127). Other technologies, such as solar dehumidification systems, help to reduce energy costs in corner stores, enabling the use of refrigeration to increase the supply and shelf life of fresh and perishable products (128). In this way, the use of new technologies such as smartphones, mobile payments and solar panels increases the adaptability and agility of corner stores to compete with supermarket chains (129).

One of the main management problems of corner stores is that they do not keep electronic records, making it difficult to implement programs to improve sales, such as the introduction of point-of-sale (POS) systems to track sales. Through devices such as tablets, corner stores can implement POS systems, facilitating their uptake due to their cultural acceptability, operability and perceived sustainability by shop owners (130). Considering that the inventory management process in corner stores is done manually based on experience, as the data generated is ignored or even no sales records are kept, it is necessary to develop new strategies and tools that use data analytics techniques. This is expected to predict and refine product quantities in order to maximize profits for the store owners (131). However, for digital transformation strategies to be successful, training, investment and incentives for store owners must be met (132). By overcoming these barriers, it is possible for corner stores to improve their management models by benefiting from statistical models for decision support, such as supervised learning models and statistical exploratory analysis methods such as t-test, logistic regression, discrimination analysis, decision tree, random forest and artificial neural networks (131, 133).

In terms of customer service and relationship marketing, corner stores’ business models emphasize trust, commitment, satisfaction and loyalty to build strong relationships with their customers. These relationships are often rooted in cultural and social interactions that are maintained through regular engagement and community events (28). Customer relationships focus on attracting and retaining customers, building loyalty and long-term engagement within a specific geographic area. To do this, traditional marketing tools such as interacting with the local community at events, local print media publications, distributing advertising flyers to local consumers, sponsoring local events and gift vouchers are effective in engaging local consumers (117, 134).

In this sense, effective digital marketing strategies for corner stores can be supported by digital platforms to share stories that resonate with the local community (117), and mobile commerce to deliver timely and relevant promotional strategies to customers in their immediate vicinity through geofencing (135). Corner stores can leverage social media to enhance customer communication, build brand awareness, and increase profits at a lower cost, as customers can spread positive word-of-mouth to more potential consumers online (136). In this way, corner stores, through their business models, can become engines of economic development, generating profitability for the members who create and manage them, developing skills in the marketing of goods and services for mass consumption, creating a reference business model to encourage others to become shop owners, and absorbing the cultural, social and economic elements of the success of those who maintain them (25).

One of the most extensively studied aspects of corner stores is their impact on public health and nutrition. The literature consistently finds that these stores primarily offer energy-dense, low-nutrient foods, which contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns, especially in low-income communities. However, interventions aimed at increasing access to healthy foods through stocking adjustments, promotional strategies, and community engagement have shown moderate success in shifting consumer purchasing behavior. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including consumer preferences for unhealthy foods, financial constraints faced by store owners, and infrastructural limitations that hinder the stocking of fresh produce. Future research should explore the long-term sustainability of such interventions and the factors that influence their effectiveness across different socio-economic contexts.

Beyond their function as food retailers, corner stores serve as vital community spaces, fostering social interactions and reinforcing neighborhood cohesion. Many studies highlight that these stores provide informal financial support through credit extensions and personalized service, which is particularly important in low-income and immigrant communities. Moreover, corner stores contribute to local economies by generating employment and supporting small-scale entrepreneurship. Despite these positive contributions, corner stores also face reputational and operational challenges, such as being perceived as sites that promote unhealthy food choices or contribute to neighborhood inequities. Addressing these concerns requires a balance between economic sustainability and community-oriented business practices.

Purchasing decisions at corner stores are influenced by a combination of convenience, price sensitivity, and product availability. Consumers such as children and adolescents frequently purchase sugary beverages, snacks, and processed foods due to their affordability and accessibility. Although some studies suggest that interventions like nutritional labeling, point-of-sale promotions, and pricing incentives can encourage healthier choices, long-term behavior change remains difficult to achieve. Furthermore, the cultural and social dimensions of shopping experiences influence consumer loyalty, with strong personal relationships between shop owners and customers playing a critical role in shaping store patronage.

The economic sustainability of corner stores is a recurring theme in the literature, with studies indicating that store owners often rely on high-margin, low-nutrient products for profitability. While some business models integrate healthier food offerings, they often require financial assistance, supplier collaborations, or technological upgrades to be viable. In this regard, emerging trends such as mobile payments, digital marketing, and supply chain innovations present opportunities for improving store efficiency and competitiveness. However, small-scale retailers often lack the resources or expertise to adopt these innovations, highlighting a need for targeted support programs.

This systematic review contributes to the literature by offering a multidisciplinary perspective on corner stores, synthesizing insights from public health, urban economics, consumer behavior, and community development. Unlike individual studies that focus on isolated aspects, this review underscores the interconnected nature of these dimensions, demonstrating that effective interventions require holistic, cross-sectoral approaches. The findings suggest that future research should not only assess the effectiveness of corner store interventions but also consider broader economic and policy implications to enhance their role in sustainable urban development.

This systematic review relied on a title-based search strategy in Scopus and Web of Science, using the terms “corner store” and “neighborhood store” to identify relevant studies. While this approach ensured a high level of specificity, capturing studies where these stores were a central focus, it may have excluded articles that examined corner stores under alternative terminology, such as “bodega,” “convenience store,” “small food retailer,” or “small grocery store.” This limitation is particularly relevant for research focusing on urban areas with large Latino communities, where the term “bodega” is more commonly used.

In addition, by restricting our search to titles only, we prioritized studies that explicitly focused on corner stores but may have missed articles that discussed them within broader food environments or urban retail contexts. A more comprehensive approach, such as searching abstracts and keywords, or including additional databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed or regional repositories, could yield a larger and potentially more diverse dataset. Future research could refine and extend the search strategy by incorporating more inclusive terminology and exploring additional databases, thereby ensuring a more comprehensive representation of studies on corner shops in different geographical and cultural contexts.

Future research on corner stores should explore several areas to enhance their role in promoting public health, community development, and business sustainability to support urban communities. While many studies assess the short-term effectiveness of nutrition interventions, little is known about long-term consumer behavior change and the sustainability of these programs. Future research should explore how store-level interventions influence dietary habits over time and whether they lead to lasting improvements in health outcomes. Additionally, future research lines could explore whether interventions focused on specific demographics, like youth or elderly populations, show varying levels of effectiveness in driving healthy purchasing behaviors.

Future research must extend beyond health-focused interventions to examine the broader economic, technological, and policy dimensions that shape the role of corner stores in urban sustainability. The viability of corner stores remains underexplored, particularly in the context of rising competition from large retailers and digital commerce. Research should examine how economic pressures shape product offerings and whether business models that integrate healthier foods can be financially viable without external funding.

Future work should also explore the role of digital payment systems, supply chain innovations, and mobile retail solutions in modernizing corner stores, assessing how technological advancements can enhance store efficiency and consumer engagement, especially in low-income and underserved areas. Likewise, existing research is heavily concentrated in high-income countries, particularly the United States, leaving gaps in our understanding of corner stores in the Global South. Comparative studies across different regions can provide insights into how policy frameworks, economic conditions, and cultural factors influence the function of these stores.

While much research examines food purchases in the context of nutrition, less attention has been given to explore how corner stores support cultural identity, particularly within immigrant and minority communities, and how they respond to the evolving needs of these populations. These studies could include the interplay between community values, cultural relevance, consumer loyalty, and purchasing patterns, as well as include the best practices for community involvement.