--- product_id: 487898686 title: "Shopping at Giant Foods: Chinese American Supermarkets in Northern California" price: "$299.09" currency: USD in_stock: true reviews_count: 1 url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/487898686-shopping-at-giant-foods-chinese-american-supermarkets-in-northern-california store_origin: US region: United States of America --- # Focus on Northern California’s unique cultural landscape Hardcover edition, premium durability Historical coverage spanning 1930s-1970s Shopping at Giant Foods: Chinese American Supermarkets in Northern California **Price:** $299.09 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the hidden story of Northern California’s grocery revolution! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Shopping at Giant Foods: Chinese American Supermarkets in Northern California - **How much does it cost?** $299.09 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/487898686-shopping-at-giant-foods-chinese-american-supermarkets-in-northern-california) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Rare Historical Insight:** Uncover the untold story of family-run grocery chains that bridged communities and economies. - • **Scholarly Yet Accessible:** Written by an expert with firsthand industry knowledge and rigorous research. - • **Legacy of Innovation and Challenge:** Learn how immigrant entrepreneurship disrupted markets with low-cost labor and savvy marketing. - • **Deep-Dive into Cultural Integration:** Explore how Chinese American supermarkets reshaped Northern California’s retail scene beyond Chinatown. - • **Essential for History Buffs & Professionals:** A must-have hardcover for those passionate about multicultural business evolution and regional history. ## Overview This hardcover book, published by University of Washington Press in 2003, chronicles the rise and fall of Chinese American supermarkets in Northern California from the 1930s to the 1970s. It offers a unique perspective on immigrant entrepreneurship, cultural integration, and the evolution of retail food markets, backed by scholarly research and personal industry insight. ## Description From the 1930s through the 1970s, Chinese American owned supermarkets located outside of Chinatown, catering to a non-Chinese clientele, and featuring mainstream American foods and other products and services rose to prominence and phenomenal succ Review: Chinese-owned groceries in California - An excellent contribution to the local history of Northern California and a remarkable insight into the nature of Chinese integration into American society and business, written by an author with personal knowledge of the retail food industry and the scholarly qualifications to do the in-depth research necessary for the book. The author traces the rise and decline of Chinese-owned grocery stores in Northern California - not ethnic grocery stores aimed at the Asian market, but general-purpose stores and supermarkets advertised for everyone. In the 1920's and 30's Chinese entrepreneurs began with local markets in Sacramento, Yuba City, and the Bay Area, then in the 50's and 60's developed these stores into heavily advertised chains such as the Giant Foods of the title, Farmers Markets, Famous Foods, and Bel Air Markets (which still exist under non-Chinese ownership). Using low-cost labor, primarily family members and recent immigrants, these markets were able to undercut their competitors' prices. But the owners' reluctance to modernize and to build for the long term caused these markets, with some exceptions, to lose their competitive status and to eventually be sold to non-Chinese rivals. The author also includes valuable information on the California grocery workers union and on the current state of the retail food industry. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Northern California history. ## Features - Binding: Hardcover Brand: University Of Washington Press Language: English Manufacturer: University Of Washington Press Publication date: 2003-05-01T00:00:01Z ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Customer Reviews | 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 Reviews | ## Images ![Shopping at Giant Foods: Chinese American Supermarkets in Northern California - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81YNgwA2lnL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chinese-owned groceries in California *by K***R on 12 May 2007* An excellent contribution to the local history of Northern California and a remarkable insight into the nature of Chinese integration into American society and business, written by an author with personal knowledge of the retail food industry and the scholarly qualifications to do the in-depth research necessary for the book. The author traces the rise and decline of Chinese-owned grocery stores in Northern California - not ethnic grocery stores aimed at the Asian market, but general-purpose stores and supermarkets advertised for everyone. In the 1920's and 30's Chinese entrepreneurs began with local markets in Sacramento, Yuba City, and the Bay Area, then in the 50's and 60's developed these stores into heavily advertised chains such as the Giant Foods of the title, Farmers Markets, Famous Foods, and Bel Air Markets (which still exist under non-Chinese ownership). Using low-cost labor, primarily family members and recent immigrants, these markets were able to undercut their competitors' prices. But the owners' reluctance to modernize and to build for the long term caused these markets, with some exceptions, to lose their competitive status and to eventually be sold to non-Chinese rivals. The author also includes valuable information on the California grocery workers union and on the current state of the retail food industry. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Northern California history. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/487898686-shopping-at-giant-foods-chinese-american-supermarkets-in-northern-california](https://www.desertcart.us/products/487898686-shopping-at-giant-foods-chinese-american-supermarkets-in-northern-california) --- *Product available on Desertcart United States of America* *Store origin: US* *Last updated: 2026-10-13*