Table 1.
UK supermarket policies on checkout food, May–July 2017
| Supermarket group | Store format | Products removed | Suggested replacement products | Information source | Checkouts where policies apply | Year of implementation (month if known) | Policy category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hypermarket Large supermarket Small supermarket Convenience store |
Sweets and chocolate | Healthier snacks such as dried fruit, nuts and cereal bars. These should either be one of your 5-a-day, have no ‘red’ traffic light ratings, be in calorie controlled snack packs, or be deemed by the Department of Health to be a ‘healthier snack’. | Annual report, supermarket’s own web page | All checkouts | 2015 (January) | Clear and consistent |
| 2 | Large supermarket | Confectionery | Not stated | Customer service | Main checkouts where a family is expected to shop with a trolley | 2004 | Vague or inconsistent |
| Convenience store | No policy | No policy | Customer service | No policy | NA | No policy | |
| 3 | Large supermarket | Limits display of confectionery treats to one in three checkouts | “Guilt free” checkouts (not defined) | Radio interview and consumer report | 1/3 of checkouts | 2012 | Vague or inconsistent |
| 4 | Large supermarket | Sweets and chocolate | Range of alternative snacks, including fruit, nuts and bottled water | Supermarket’s own web page, customer service | Main bank checkouts (directly at the till) | 2016 (February) | Vague or inconsistent |
| 5 | Large supermarket | Confectionery, chocolate and sweets | Healthier options including dried fruit, nuts, juices and water | Supermarket’s own web page | All checkouts | 2015 (January) | Clear and consistent |
| 6 | Convenience store | No policy | No policy | Customer service | No policy | NA | No policy |
| 7 | Large supermarket | Sweets | Not stated | Customer service | All checkouts | 2014 (August) | Vague or inconsistent |
| Convenience store | Sweets | Not stated | Customer service | All checkouts, except in stores with petrol stations | 2014 (August) | Vague or inconsistent | |
| 8 | Large supermarket | Sweets and chocolate | More nutritious options such as dried fruits and nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and fruit juices | Supermarket’s own web page | All checkouts | 2014 (January) | Clear and consistent |
| 9 | Convenience store | Confectionery, crisps, cakes and biscuits | Not stated | Customer service | All checkouts in stores owned by company, not in franchise stores | 2015 (September) | Vague or inconsistent |