Marks & Spencer is claiming a UK retailer first by including alcohol in its reporting of healthier food sales.
Like other major grocers, M&S voluntarily reports on its food sales including the proportion comprised of healthier options. The retailer aims to grow this to 70%.
It will now also include alcohol in its reporting.
It is a step further than will be required under government proposals to introduce mandatory reporting of food sales by all large food businesses from 2029.
M&S said the government plans were “missing a key element” by not directly addressing alcohol sales, with the NHS identifying overconsumption as a cause of obesity.
M&S Food MD Alex Freudmann called on other retailers to follow its example.
“We are voluntarily including alcohol in our healthy food sales target because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
“We support the government’s proposal for mandatory reporting of food sales, encouraging retailers to make healthy choices easier for customers. However, reporting models do not currently include alcohol, which, as research shows, can contribute to empty calories, having a potential impact on health.
“We encourage other retailers and the government to include alcohol in food sales reporting to offer full transparency on healthy and non-healthy food choices.
“Customers are turning to their weekly shop to support their health. As M&S we are increasingly seeing customers make healthy choices by balancing their alcohol consumption with non or low alcohol alternatives.”
M&S highlighted research from influential think tank Nesta suggesting alcohol made up around 5% of calories purchased by UK adults.
The retailer is working with the charity Drinkaware.
Read more: How will healthy sales targets and fines be applied?
“We’re delighted by M&S’s decision to boldly lead the way as the first major retailer to set ambitious, measurable targets for alcohol as part of their reporting,” said Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell.
“Our research shows nearly three-quarters (73%) of all alcohol is bought in supermarkets and convenience stores, and with UK drinkers most likely to regularly drink at home, this move will provide valuable insights into the habits and behaviours of home drinkers.
“At the same time, consumer attitudes to alcohol are shifting: 44% of UK drinkers now moderate their drinking by using alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks, up from 31% in 2018. In this time, consumption of alcohol-free drinks has increased from 18% to 31%, and low alcohol from 25% to 33%.
“We’re thrilled to be working so closely with M&S to turn these insights into action, helping those drinking over the guidelines to moderate their drinking.”
No comments yet