# Most Americans don't buy food at dollar stores

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/most-americans-dont-buy-food-at-dollar-stores/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

More than four-in-ten Americans (44%) say they don't buy food from dollar stores at all, according to a November 2025 Verasight survey.

Among the reasons for buying, picking up food on a non-food trip tops the list: 17% say they typically go to the dollar store for other items and grab some food while there. Similar shares say they need food quickly and the store is convenient (16%) or that it has better deals (15%), while few call it their go-to grocery destination (3%), say the package size fits their needs (3%) or give another reason (2%).

## Topline

What's your main reason for buying food from dollar stores?

Most Americans don't buy food at dollar stores.

- I don't buy food from dollar stores: 43.9%
- I typically go to dollar store to buy non-food items, and I pick up some food while I'm here: 16.9%
- I need some food items quickly and dollar store is convenient: 16.3%
- Dollar store has better deals: 15.0%
- Dollar store is my go-to destination for groceries: 3.0%
- The package size is more appropriate for my needs: 2.6%
- Other: 2.3%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2025-11-14 → 2025-11-20
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: Module 3
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#main-reasons-for-purchasing-food-from-dollar-stores](https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#main-reasons-for-purchasing-food-from-dollar-stores)

## Citation

Verasight APHA Omnibus Survey #2025-148, fielded November 14-20, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#main-reasons-for-purchasing-food-from-dollar-stores](https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#main-reasons-for-purchasing-food-from-dollar-stores)