Woolworths to remove kids’ confectionery from supermarket checkouts

Supermarket giant Woolworths is rolling out a major change to its checkouts nationwide. See what’s planned and why.

They were designed for the last-minute impulse buy and the scene of many a toddler tantrums.

But the days of the confectionery stands at the check-out are numbered with major supermarket Woolworths bowing to public feedback.

Instead, the lollies and chocolates will be replaced with food items that have a Health Star Rating (HSR) of at least 3.5.

Woolworths research shows that almost a third of customers mostly or always use HSR to choose between different food products.

Confectionary marketed towards children will be replaced with healthier food items at Woolworths stores across the country. Picture: Supplied

“Customers are looking for more help to make healthier choices easier in store. Family customers have asked for healthier options available at check-outs,” Woolworths General Manager of Nutrition and Health Stevie Wring said.

Ms Wring said current cost of living pressures were taken into account with the decision, with a number of products offered at the check-outs under $2, such as nut bars or popcorn.

Customers will see the removal of kids confectionery from check-outs, as well as 80 per cent of checkout shelf space dedicated to healthier options, nationally from July.

Sydney mum-of-two Beth Robertson, pictured with her son Max, 1, says the kids’ confectionery-free check-outs will make her grocery shopping less stressful. Picture: Jane Dempster

Sydney mum-of-two Beth Robertson welcomed the change, explaining it would remove the “stress” of shopping with kids.

“Grocery shopping with little kids can be a bit of a task at the best of time. It will be nice to get to the checkout without the ‘fun’ or ‘sometimes’ food being in arms’ reach,” she said.

“I think it will really help our shopping trips – honestly.

“We’re trying to advocate healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle (within our family). There is place for ‘fun’ foods but this removes that temptation.”

In an effort to add more vegetables into their life, Ms Robertson makes homemade apple or banana muffins, and adds vegetables such as cauliflower to rice or pasta dishes.

“My kids love a tomato-based sauce and I can add anything (vegetables) to that and they’ll eat it.”

TIPS FOR HEALTHIER OPTIONS

Woolworths General Manager of Nutrition and Health, Stevie Wring. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wring offered these tips to help Aussies make healthier choices.

1) Plan your meals and shopping list in advance, to reduce temptation of buying ‘sometimes’ foods.

2) Get children who come in store to grab one of the free fruit selections, to keep them busy while you shop.

3) Buy seasonal produce. Seasonal vegetables offer great tasting products at great value.

4) Get children involved in making healthy snacks, from selecting the recipe, to shopping for the ingredients with parents and then making the food, such as healthy cereal bars or bliss balls.