Removing sweet confectionery from checkouts reduces purchases by 76 per cent

[DCUK NewsBot]

Moving sweets and chocolates away from supermarket checkouts reduces purchases by 76%, according to new research. A government-funded study has looked at how buying habits have changed in the shops that have moved the position of sugary confectionery in the last few years. Previous research has shown that stocking unhealthy treats by checkouts or at the end of aisles boosts sales significantly. The government has been under pressure to drive down rates of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes, and calls to improve the UK's health have led to large supermarket giants agreeing to move products away from temptation. Researchers from Cambridge, Stirling and Newcastle universities say there has been a shift in purchases since the positioning of unhealthy foods has changed. They used data taken from 7,500 shoppers, looking at food patterns from purchases bought on the go during 2016-17. Dr Katrine Ejlerskov, the study's first author, said: "Our findings suggest that by removing sweets and crisps from the checkout, supermarkets can have a positive influence on the types of purchases their shoppers make. "This would be a relatively simple intervention with the potential to encourage healthier eating. Many of these purchases may have been impulse buys, so if the shopper doesn't pick up a chocolate bar at the till, it may be one less chocolate bar that they consume." Dr Jean Adams, a senior lecturer in dietary public health research at the University of Cambridge, said: "It may seem obvious that removing unhealthy food options from the checkout would reduce the amount that people buy, but it is evidence such as this that helps build the case for government interventions to improve unhealthy behaviours." The findings have been published in the Plos Medicine journal.

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[Guzzler]

Agree wholeheartedly. Suggest they replace unhealthy foods at the checkout with cheese that's on offer

 

[Brunneria]

Its a darn sight simpler, cheaper and more easily arranged than the sugar tax.

 

[ickihun]

Unfortunately before retailers used POS shelving I already had my type2. In fact I've never been seduced by those merchandising tactics because I was savy to their methods and just how effective sales increased when they introduced. An ex-merchandiser, you see.
Sales increased when larger, more expensive items begin being displayed e.g Electric toothbrushes etc.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

About 50% of the checkouts at the major food stores here are confectionery free at any one time, it has been like this for several years in Bundaberg.

I don't know about the self serve checkouts whether they are or not as I do not use them

 

[kitedoc]

Way back in the 'dark ages' of last century Vance Packard wrote "The Hidden Persuaders" which was one of the first books about the wiles of advertising companies and the ways of attracting customers to buy products.
Ban the checkout shelf/display items I say.
As @Brunneria says, Cheaper to do than impose a sugar tax.
And just a cigarettes have a warning label on them, soft drinks to have mandatory labelling: Caution : may cause diabetes and increase dental bills. And lollies: "Each one of these rots your teef".

 

[Deleted member 308541]

Ban the checkout shelf/display items I say.

They may be on display at the checkout, but "you" do not have to purchase them.

This where your will power comes into force, it's bit like that commandment where you "do not covet your neighbours wife / husband etc".

 

[kitedoc]

Ha! Ha! @Tipetoo. Checkout sign: "Do not coveteth these lollies, for if you shouldest indulge thou wilt be struck down by dental caries and the scourge of the sugar sickness".
And it reminds of an old joke: What do you give the person who has indulged in everything ?
Penecillin.