M&S to include alcohol in its healthy food sales target
M&S is to include sales of alcohol in its reporting of food sales as it looks to offer uncreased transparency on the percentage of healthy food and drink sold, in line with its health target.
The move follows the retailer voluntarily introducing a healthy sales target of 70% of food sales from healthier products by 2024/25 (by tonnage), which it met.
Subscribe to TRBThe Government is planning to introduce mandatory reporting for retailers by 2029 highlighting sales of healthy and non-healthy foods, which M&S supports. However, the retailer said current reporting models do not include alcohol, a key element of UK shopping baskets.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said: “We are voluntarily including alcohol in our Healthy Food Sales target because it’s the right thing to do.
“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 heath.
“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.”
Karen Tyrell, chief executive of the charity Drinkaware, said: “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.
“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.”
M&S was the first retailer to introduce a logo to signpost healthy choices with the launch of its Eat Well sunflower in 2005.
