HFSS location restrictions aren’t deterring shoppers as they were supposed to, according to convenience retailers.
Following the introduction of restrictions in October, which cost retailers time and money to reshuffle store layouts in preparation for, there have been little impact on sales, with some retailers even reporting an increase in sales across confectionery, snacks and other HFSS goods, especially in the run up to Easter with the high demand for chocolate eggs.
This may have happened because HFSS products that were by the tills and on promotional bays have moved into one place on the confectionery aisle, which has made that shopping experience easier for the customer to access these products.
Thousands of retailers have made significant changes to their stores in recent months to comply with HFSS legislation after a prolonged period of uncertainty. Trading Standards are not taking a heavy-handed approach to enforcement on HFSS, but it is important that the rules continue to be understood and applied consistently, both by retailers and by the enforcement community.