Oral Presentation Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting

The effect on beverage sales of removal of unhealthy beverages from display in a self-service café (#15)

Oliver Huse 1 2 3 , Miranda Blake 1 2 3 , Ruby Brooks 3 4 , Kirstan Corben 5 , Anna Peeters 1 3
  1. School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  2. School of Public Health and Preventative medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  3. Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
  4. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  5. Population Health, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Objectives: Compelling evidence suggests that consumption of unhealthy drinks is associated with weight gain and an increased risk of a number of adverse health outcomes (1, 2). This study assessed the impact of the removal of unhealthy beverages from display by the retailer at a self-service café within a major health service.

Methodology: Beverages were categorised based on a state government nutrient profiling system, which classifies beverages as ‘green’ (best choices), ‘amber’ (choose carefully) and ‘red’ (limit). The total sales (as number of items sold per week) of beverages in the café were measured for five weeks prior to strategy implementation and  for another six weeks after removal of all red beverages from self-service display (which were still available for purchase on request). T-tests were used to compare mean total beverage sales and sales of red, amber and green beverages, pre- and post-strategy implementation. 

Results: After strategy implementation, the proportion of red beverages sold decreased significantly from 34% to 10% of total beverage sales (P <0.001). As amber and green beverage sales increased after strategy implementation, mean total weekly beverage sales did not significantly change (P=0.78). Consumers appeared to more readily switch from purchasing red beverages to purchasing amber beverages, rather than green beverages (the healthiest option). 

Conclusions: The removal of unhealthy beverages from display can result in consumers making healthier purchases, while not significantly affecting retailer sales.

  1. Vartanian LR, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD. Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Public Health. 2007;97(4):667-75.
  2. Mozaffarian D, Hao T, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hu FB. Changes in Diet and Lifestyle and Long-Term Weight Gain in Women and Men. The New England journal of medicine. 2011;364(25):2392-404.