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Retailer-led healthy pricing interventions: A pilot study within aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-25, 03:28 authored by Oliver Huse, Liliana OrellanaLiliana Orellana, M Ferguson, C Palermo, Alethea JerebineAlethea Jerebine, Christina ZorbasChristina Zorbas, Tara Boelsen-RobinsonTara Boelsen-Robinson, Miranda BlakeMiranda Blake, Anna PeetersAnna Peeters, J Brimblecombe, Marj MoodieMarj Moodie, Kathryn BackholerKathryn BackholerAbstract
This study aimed to pilot the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of three co-developed healthy food and beverage pricing interventions in a community retail setting. Aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia were recruited to co-develop and pilot pricing interventions within their onsite cafés, for 15 weeks from January 2019. A mixed method intervention evaluation was conducted. Interviews were conducted with food retail managers to understand the factors perceived to influence implementation, maintenance and effectiveness. Customer surveys assessed support for, and awareness of, interventions. Interrupted time series analysis estimated the impact of pricing interventions on food and beverage sales. Three centres each implemented a unique intervention: (i) discounted healthy bundles (‘healthy combination deals’), (ii) offering deals at specific times of the day (‘healthy happy hours’) and (iii) increasing the prices of selected unhealthy options and reducing the prices of selected healthier options (‘everyday pricing changes’). Café team leaders did not identify any significant challenges to implementation or maintenance of interventions, though low staff engagement was identified as potentially influencing the null effect on sales for healthy combination deals and healthy happy hours interventions. Customers reported low levels of awareness and high levels of support for interventions. Everyday pricing changes resulted in a significant decrease in sales of unhealthy items during the intervention period, though also resulted in a decrease in café revenue. Co-developed healthy food and beverage pricing interventions can be readily implemented with broad customer support. Everyday pricing changes have demonstrated potential effectiveness at reducing unhealthy purchases.
This study aimed to pilot the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of three co-developed healthy food and beverage pricing interventions in a community retail setting. Aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia were recruited to co-develop and pilot pricing interventions within their onsite cafés, for 15 weeks from January 2019. A mixed method intervention evaluation was conducted. Interviews were conducted with food retail managers to understand the factors perceived to influence implementation, maintenance and effectiveness. Customer surveys assessed support for, and awareness of, interventions. Interrupted time series analysis estimated the impact of pricing interventions on food and beverage sales. Three centres each implemented a unique intervention: (i) discounted healthy bundles (‘healthy combination deals’), (ii) offering deals at specific times of the day (‘healthy happy hours’) and (iii) increasing the prices of selected unhealthy options and reducing the prices of selected healthier options (‘everyday pricing changes’). Café team leaders did not identify any significant challenges to implementation or maintenance of interventions, though low staff engagement was identified as potentially influencing the null effect on sales for healthy combination deals and healthy happy hours interventions. Customers reported low levels of awareness and high levels of support for interventions. Everyday pricing changes resulted in a significant decrease in sales of unhealthy items during the intervention period, though also resulted in a decrease in café revenue. Co-developed healthy food and beverage pricing interventions can be readily implemented with broad customer support. Everyday pricing changes have demonstrated potential effectiveness at reducing unhealthy purchases.
History
Journal
Health Promotion InternationalVolume
36Pagination
430 - 448Location
EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0957-4824eISSN
1460-2245Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineHealth Policy & ServicesPublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthHealth Care Sciences & Servicesprogram evaluationcommunity retailhealthy food and beverage pricing interventionsnutritionSUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGESVENDING MACHINESFOOD ENVIRONMENTIMPACTCONSUMPTIONFEASIBILITYSTRATEGIESPROMOTIONSPURCHASESSERVICE
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