My year of healthier retailing
Arjan Mehr, who owns a Londis in Bracknell, Berkshire, does not have a classically health-conscious customer base. Yet even in his store, he has noticed a range of categories affected by customers’ changing lifestyles and preferences.
Trend 1: Change is customer-led
I’ve not seen any change from the soft drinks tax, much like with tobacco laws. In the end, what makes a difference in terms of healthy living is education and long-term thinking.
Trend 2: Better fresh range= better sales
We’ve seen our sales of fruit and vegetables go up in the past year. This might be because, working with Booker, our range is now better than ever. People are cooking more at home, too.
Trend 3: Gyms drive sales
There are now gyms all over, and that has given us opportunities.
We have just introduced a bay of protein products.
12 healthier products to give your sales a workout
Juice Burst
Drinks brand Juice Burst has created Strawberry & Beetroot and Apple & Cucumber variants for its new health-focused Fruit & Veg range.
Strathmore Botanics
Tapping into the flavoured water trend, this launch combines spring water with botanicals and fruit flavours, all with zero calories and no added sugar.
Nestlé GoFree Gluten-free CORN Flakes
With Nestlé research highlighting that 40% of millennials are more likely to avoid gluten-filled products, this top-selling cereal is at the heart of their healthier strategy.
Pipers Crisps
Pipers Crisps has launched a Crispeas range, available in three flavours, to cater to the healthier-eating trend. Matar Paneer, Salsa Verde and English Mint flavours are all 95 calories per pack.
Danone Light & Free
Containing 0% fat and 0% added sugar, Danone says its Light & Free range is the top-selling diet yoghurt in the UK. Nine flavours are available.
Milkybar Wowsomes
Nestlé’s Milkybar Wowsomes contain 30% less sugar than similar chocolate products. The largest-sized bars in the range are 18g, and contain 95 calories.
Irn-Bru
Scottish favourite Irn-Bru is now a mid-sugar product with 50% less sugar. A zero-sugar alternative, Irn-Bru Xtra, is also available.
Savsé
Savsé has launched Protein Rise, a no-added-sugar protein drink aimed not at gym-goers, but at those hoping to make small improvements to their diets.
Old Mout alcohol-free cider
Old Mout Alcohol-Free cider by Heineken is the brand’s first non-alcoholic cider variant, available in a Berries & Cherries flavour in a 500ml format.
Prep Co
Unilever has invested £1m into its Prep Co healthy on-the-go snacks pot brand. Flavours include Mediterranean Couscous and Thai Green Curry.
Fruittella Fruit Drops
Perfetti Van Melle’s sugar-free Fruittella Fruit Drops are the brand’s first hard-boiled sweets, and are available in Citrus and Red Berry flavours.
Eisberg alcohol-free wine
The alcohol-free drinks market is worth £37.7m – and to capitalise, Eisberg has launched six alcohol-free versions of wines, such as rosé and chardonnay.
