Confectionery sales saw an overall decline in October following the roll out of legislation restricting products high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) from key store locations.
As a result of these products being banned from store entrances, gondola ends and checkouts which began on 1 October, according to retail technology solution Reapp, one major confectionery supplier saw its October sales volume drop by 1,191,503 units (3.98%) from 2021 to 2022.
This comes despite a 52.11% year on year increase in sales around Halloween with the top three highest sales volume regions – London, North West and Scotland – staying the same since last year.
However, the positioning within the top three has changed, with London having been the highest in sales volume for 2021 at 869,122 units sold, whereas the North West took the lead this year with 867,667 units.
Halloween sales this year also saw a decline in confectionery sales among several other regions including East of England, South East, South West, Midlands and South Coast, while Yorkshire and the Humber saw one of the largest year on year differences with a 10.4% fall.
“Our latest data shows the immediate impact HFSS has had on one major supplier of confectionery,” Reapp group sales and marketing director, James Lamplugh said.
“Whilst it is obviously doing what the legislation intended, it will be of concern to brands and retailers who will look to maximise shelf space, and more importantly availability on shelves to counter the limitations made with this new legislation.”
