The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched a guide to help retailers navigate the upcoming regulations restricting high fat, salt, sugar (HFSS) products in stores.
Despite calls by the industry for a further delay in their introduction, the HFSS regulations are due to come into force in October. There are over a dozen categories of food and drink that are set to be restricted in the new regulations, meaning thousands of retailers are having to rethink the layout of their stores. Retailers face not being able to put HFSS products at the store entrance, at the checkout, near a queuing area, or at the end of an aisle. Promotions such as multibuys will also be banned for such products.
The ACS Assured Advice guide is claimed to cover everything retailers need to know on the key areas of the regulations, including:
- How to work out whether a store will be in scope of the regulations
- Which areas of the store can be excluded when calculating relevant floor space
- Which categories of products are affected
- Which promotions are restricted
- How the location restrictions work, and who is included within them
- How to work out the restricted area at the entrance of the store
- Which other areas around the store are subject to location restrictions (e.g. around the tills)
The regulations affect stores over 2000 sq. ft. (location restrictions) and businesses with over 50 employees (volume promotions – includes some symbol groups and franchises). Research carried out by ACS in August 2021 showed that 45% of independent and symbol retailers were not aware of the upcoming regulations.
ACS chief executive James Lowman commented: “The introduction of HFSS regulations marks one of the biggest operational changes in the grocery retail sector in living memory, so it is absolutely crucial that retailers know what they will have to do ahead of October. Our guidance provides important clarity for retailers dealing with the complexity of the regulations, and provides a blueprint for stores to start work now on how they’re going to adapt their businesses in the coming months.
“We are disappointed that DHSC have yet to issue their guidance on the regulations. But with only eight months to go convenience retailers needs clarity to begin making the necessary investments to refit their stores and train their store colleagues.”
NAM Implications:
- Why reinvent the wheel, ‘on your own’…
- …when this guide presents a ready-made approach?
