New BRC report

Retailers are demonstrating the effectiveness of working with customers to help them make the lifestyle changes needed in the fight against obesity.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published a substantial catalogue of evidence from its major food retailing members. It shows they are responding to customer demand in the UK's highly competitive grocery market and delivering healthier choices, food information and actual change in what customers buy - more comprehensively than legislation ever could.

British Retailing: A Commitment to Health is the third BRC report of its kind in six years, demonstrating BRC members' commitment to the health and nutritional needs of their customers.

The 2009 report reveals the progress achieved since the last report three years ago and assesses more businesses than ever before. Asda, Boots, Burger King, The Co-operative Group, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, McDonald's, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose have all taken part.

British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: "Achieving healthier diets is about more than targets, labelling rules or promotion bans. This catalogue of evidence shows businesses, responding to customer demand and competing on their health credentials, bringing healthy eating initiatives to shoppers more effectively than the law ever could.

"UK retailers have been Europe's leaders on health and nutrition for years. This report shows they continue to drive the agenda forward and challenge other countries to catch up.

"From reducing salt, fat and sugar to portion size options, promotions and on-pack labelling, BRC members are enabling healthier choices which are being taken up by customers.

"What we're seeing is responsible retailers enthusiastically putting their resources and reputations firmly behind making their contribution to healthier diets."


 

To read the whole report click here.