Haribo’s managing director has warned that location restrictions to products high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) have caused shoppers to cut back spending across the wider confectionery industry.
On 1 October 2022, supermarkets across England were forced to remove HFSS products from store entrances, gondola ends and store checkouts in a bid to limit obesity levels.
Haribo managing director, Jon Hughes, told The Telegraph: “The combination of government restrictions, higher prices and the rising cost of living all contributed to the decline in category volume.”
The Maoam and Starmix producer said total confectionery consumption stagnated year on year, while chocolate volumes dipped 3.2%.
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Krispy Kreme CEO Mike Tattersfield dismissed the impact that HFSS restrictions could have on the doughnut business as he claimed in May that shoppers can be “trained” to look for products elsewhere.
He told the Financial Times that the company will continue to push for growth in the UK market by training customers to look in other parts of those stores where Krispy Kreme is present, such as in Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Last month, the government pushed back promotional restrictions to HFSS products such as ‘three for £10’ until October 2025, despite the legislation previously scheduled to roll out from October 2023.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said the move came as “it is not fair for government to restrict the options available to consumers on their weekly shop” amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Despite this, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have said they will push ahead with not selling HFSS products through multibuy deals as the supermarkets look to support customers in leading healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
