Table 1.

Independent variables used in the study

Variable	Full name	Dataset/Year	Level
Distance	Supermarket distance in km by car travel route from postcode centroid to nearest outlet	CDRC 2018	Postcode
Income	Average net annual household income after housing costs (£)	ONS, 2018	MSOA
Density	Population density (person/hectare)	ONS 2018	LSOA
Rurality	Urban-rural classification (0-urban, 1-rural)	ONS 2011	LSOA
% Ethnicity	Proportion of households from the ethnic minority groups to all ethnicities	Ethnic group classification, Census 2011*	LSOA
% Uneducated	Proportion of households with no qualification	Highest level of qualification, Census 2011†	LSOA
% Unemployed	Proportion of households with adults not in employment	Economic activity, Census 2011‡	LSOA

CDRC = Consumer Data Research Centre, ONS = Office for National Statistics, MSOA = middle super output area, LSOA = lower super output area.

^*This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by ethnic group. The ethnic group classification used is the standard 18-category classification corresponding to the tick box response options on the census questionnaire.

^†This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify usual residents aged 16 and over in England and Wales by their highest level of qualification. This information identifies educational achievement across the population to help government resource allocation and policy making, especially in relation to disadvantaged population groups and educationally deprived areas.

^‡This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify usual residents aged 16–74 in England and Wales by economic activity. The census concept of economic activity is compatible with the standard for economic status defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It is one of a number of definitions used internationally to produce accurate and comparable statistics on employment, unemployment and economic status.

*–‡The estimates are as at census day 27 March 2011.