Trials testing out the upcoming restrictions on high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products at 50 supermarkets have seen a decline in sales.
Research by retail technology solution, Reapp found that non-HFSS products within the biscuit and chilled categories at the trialed stores have seen a 20% dip in sales in comparison with the same time last year.
Following the testing period which ran from March to September, Reapp’s group sales marketing manager, James Lamplugh, told The Grocer: “The impact of lost sales volume for brands and the knock-on effect on VAT income for the government, at a time when we’re about to enter a recession, means stimulating growth must be prioritised.”
The upcoming changes, which are set to be implemented across supermarket stores from next month, will see HFSS products banned from aisle ends as well as store entrances and checkout stations.
However, during her campaign Prime Minister Liz Truss said that she would look to stop plans to restrict multi-buy deals and would not impose any new levies on unhealthy food.
Despite the possibility that new rules could be scrapped, Lamplugh said that “some retailers will go ahead with the changes anyway as they’ve already invested considerably in refitting stores”.
He added: “The challenge for them will be if they can offset the decline in sales from non-HFSS products with other categories that are performing well.”
