Sales soar for local shops stocking healthy food

Local families and corner shops are loving a healthy food scheme that keeps sales high and waists trim.

35 shops have been selling healthier options, while staying profitable, thanks to The Good Food Wholesale and Retail project.

The scheme has seen stores increase their nutritious food stock by 22 per cent and a staggering 1000 per cent increase in wholesalers’ healthy food sales.

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Cllr Evelyn Akoto said: “The cost of living crisis means we are pushing even harder to make sure all residents have easy access to healthy foods they can afford.

“Many of our families rely on their local convenience stores, which tend to have fewer healthy options. This pilot proves that with the right support, these shops can play a key role in the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

With funding from the Southwark Council, the shops got one-to-one guidance from industry experts on how to market healthier items.

They were also invited to Bestway Wholesale, Lewisham, to handpick healthy products for in-store trials.

On average, shops stocked between eight and nine more healthy products than normal and found they sold better than expected.

Kenton Burchell, Group Trading Director Bestway, said: “The pilot has shown profitability and health can go hand in hand as it successfully achieved sales uplifts on healthier options benefiting both the retailer and the customer.

“The trials have proven that if all partners work together, we can deliver a significant change in consumer behavior.”

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The pilot’s success was celebrated at an event at Bestway Lewisham depot. Stores from the pilots collected healthier products from Bestway Wholesale paid for by Southwark Council through their High Street Recovery Fund.

The Good Food Wholesale and Retail project launched in 2019 and was delivered by Rice Marketing in partnership with Southwark Council, Bestway Wholesale, and Impact on Urban Health (part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation).1

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