In Manhattan — one supermarket for every 7178 residents. Just borough 229 supermarkets — these are the findings of the office of the President borough of Manhattan Gale brewer.
«The first step in solving the problem was making a list. Now we think how the government can help the supermarkets to stay «afloat,» said brewer.
Nelson Eusebio, the head of the National Association of supermarkets, said that cheap grocery stores can not compete with the food delivery services, as well as forced to close due to the constant increase in rents.
«What may then to do the supermarket? Just to raise prices. But then people stop going there. You can’t sell a can of beans for 99 cents today and tomorrow for $ 1.29. People won’t pay for it,» explains Eusebio.
So, for example, through bankruptcy passed the A&P and Pathmark, which are closed throughout the city, in Chelsea closed Associated Supermarket, despite numerous protests of local residents.
In a report, brewer said that the biggest problem with grocery stores in the Flatiron district, Herald Square and Midtown Central. There is so not enough supermarkets, local resident, mother Maria Santoni, says that she has at least once in a month to rent a car to buy food in Queens.
«I see that cheap supermarkets just disappear from the city,» adds Lucia Academy of the West Village.
Brewer suggests the city authorities to establish tax incentives for supermarkets in Manhattan, in particular, to extend the FRESH initiative, which offers tax and rent benefits for grocery stores in Northern Manhattan and the other boroughs.
