We looked at what supermarkets in 97 countries are doing to our waistlines

The Convenience of Modern Food Shopping: A Recipe for Disaster?

In many countries, buying food at supermarkets, convenience stores, and online has become the norm. But what’s the convenience of modern food shopping doing to our health?

The Rise of Chain Grocery Stores

Our study, published today with colleagues from UNICEF, looked at how people in 97 countries shopped for groceries over 15 years.

Globally, we found a huge increase in the number of supermarkets and convenience stores. We also found people are spending more money in these stores and on their online platforms.

We’re Shopping Online Too

The data in our study also covers the rise of online food shopping. For instance, the worldwide spend on online grocery shopping was 325% more in 2023 compared with 2014.

More Chain Stores, More Junk Food, More Obesity

The rise of chain grocery stores, including their online platforms, is also changing what we eat.

Over the 15 years of our study, there has been a 10.9% increase in the sales of unhealthy processed food from chain grocery stores.

Why Do We Think Supermarkets Are to Blame?

Supermarkets and hypermarkets sell healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables. Yet, there are good reasons to think our retail environment might be to blame for the rise in obesity.

Highly Processed Foods

Chain grocery stores typically sell an enormous array of highly processed packaged foods high in sugar, fat, and salt that can harm our health.

What Can We Do About It?

There are many social, political, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the rise in obesity globally. Many of these relate to the price, availability, and promotion of food in retail settings and the way the retail industry is structured.

Because of this, we think it’s time for governments and retailers to step up and start making changes to where and how we shop for food.

Some countries are already beginning to act. In the United Kingdom, for example, government legislation now prevents placing unhealthy foods in prominent places such as the checkout counter and at the ends of aisles close to checkouts. From October this year, further restrictions on the price promotion of unhealthy foods will also come into force in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the connection between chain grocery stores and obesity?

A: Our study suggests that the rise of chain grocery stores, including their online platforms, is linked to a 10.9% increase in the sales of unhealthy processed food globally.

Q: Why are chain grocery stores promoting unhealthy foods?

A: Chain grocery stores often aggressively promote unhealthy foods through price discounting, advertising, and prominent displays.

Q: What can be done to address the issue?

A: Governments and retailers can make changes to where and how we shop for food, such as reducing the availability and promotion of unhealthy foods, and increasing the prominence of healthy options.

Q: Are there any successful examples of this?

A: Yes, in Norway, one major grocery chain launched a comprehensive healthy eating campaign, including increasing the size and prominence of healthy food displays and offering discounts on fruits and vegetables. This led to a 42% increase in vegetable sales and a 25% rise in fruit sales.