The WIC Shopping Experience: A Qualitative Study Examining Retail-based Strategies to Increase WIC Retention and Redemption Rates

ABSTRACT

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) successfully improves participant nutrition, but program effectiveness is threatened by retail shopping challenges, which may reduce benefit redemption and participant retention. Focus groups with WIC participants examined barriers to using WIC benefits and potential strategies to improve redemption. The analysis included a three-pass qualitative process using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Barriers included confusion over finding eligible products, difficulty checking out, and perceived stigma. Strategies included promotion and strategic placement of approved items and better customer service. Retailer practices and regional policy amendments are potential strategies for improving the WIC shopping experience and program effectiveness.

KEYWORDS:

• WIC
• grocery shopping
• retail interventions
• behavioral economics
• qualitative research
• US food policy
• food access
• low-income