Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Price promotions by food category and product healthiness in an Australian supermarket chain, 2017–2018

Version 2 2024-06-06, 09:38
Version 1 2019-08-19, 08:24
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-06, 09:38 authored by Devorah Riesenberg, Kathryn BackholerKathryn Backholer, Christina Zorbas, Gary SacksGary Sacks, Anna Paix, Josephine MarshallJosephine Marshall, Miranda BlakeMiranda Blake, Rebecca BennettRebecca Bennett, Anna PeetersAnna Peeters, Adrian CameronAdrian Cameron
Objectives. To examine the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions in a major Australian supermarket and how they differ between core (healthy) and discretionary (less healthy) food categories. Methods. Weekly online price data (regular retail price, discount price, and promotion type) on 1579 foods were collected for 1 year (April 2017 to April 2018) from the largest Australian supermarket chain. Products audited were classified according to Australian Dietary Guidelines definitions of core and discretionary foods and according to their Health Star Rating (a government-endorsed nutrient profiling scheme). Results. On average, 15.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.7%, 15.3%) of core foods and 28.8% (95% CI = 28.6%, 29.0%) of discretionary foods were price promoted during a given week. Average discounts were –15.4% (95% CI = –16.4, –14.4) for core products and –25.9% (95% CI = –26.8, –25.1) for discretionary products. The percentage of products on price promotion and the size of the discount were larger for products with a lower Health Star Rating (P < .05). Conclusions. Price promotions were more prevalent and greater in magnitude for discretionary foods than for core foods. Policies to reduce the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions on discretionary foods could improve the healthiness of food purchased from supermarkets.

History

Journal

American journal of public health

Volume

109

Pagination

1434-1439

Location

Washington, D.C.

ISSN

0090-0036

eISSN

1541-0048

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2019, American Public Health Association

Issue

10

Publisher

American Public Health Association

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC