Woolworths is trying to help change Aussie shopping habits by removing impulse buys like chocolate and lollies at the checkout.
Woolworths announced products aimed at children, such as Chupa Chups, Kinder Surprise and Caramello Koalas, will no longer be available beside the checkout.
Instead, the supermarket is increasing its offering of healthier food choices with a Health Star Rating (HSR) of 3.5 and above, stating 80 percent of shelf space will be dedicated to these items.
There will still be a selection of confectionery at the checkouts for adults.
“These are small but important steps in the right direction as we work to make healthier choices easier for our customers,” Natalie Davis, managing director at Woolworths, said.
“There’s no replacement for wholesome food like fruit and veg, but removing kids’ confectionery from checkouts and helping customers make small swaps on food they pick up, can help make a positive impact on their shopping habits.”
“We know value and affordability are important to our customers, so we’ve been very deliberate in selecting options that are healthier and great value to take the stress out of picking up a quick snack or special on-the-go,” she explained.
“This includes a focus on lower pricing for healthier products through initiatives like our seasonal Prices Dropped program.”
Customers can expect to see the removal of all children’s confectionery nationally over coming weeks.
Woolworths will continue to test and look to expand healthier options on aisle ends over the course of the year, based on customers’ response.
