A drop in the bucket? The effectiveness of nudging healthier snacks in a supermarket in a deprived neighborhood in the Netherlands

Abstract

Abstract Nudging is often proposed as a promising policy approach for improving healthy choices among lower socioeconomic position (SEP) populations. However, nudges may not suit lower SEP contexts and empirical studies are scarce. We examined the efficacy of a repositioning nudge at a supermarket in a deprived neighborhood in improving healthier snack purchases and described customers’ healthy grocery shopping needs. Daily sales were collected during 4-week control and intervention periods, where healthier snacks replaced unhealthy snacks at the checkout. Besides, questionnaires were administered. More healthier snacks were sold per day during the intervention (Median = 2.50, Q1 = 2.00, Q3 = 3.50) than control period (Median = 0, Q1 = 0, Q3 = 1.00), B = 1.77, z = 5.50, p < .001, incidence rate ratio = 5.87 (95%CI [3.52, 10.17]). Despite statistical significance, the absolute number of healthier snacks sold remains negligible. Customers report to find it important to eat healthily and to think carefully about their groceries, but to hardly buy snacks at the checkout and desire a healthy and affordable food offer. Repositioning nudges may not suit the circumstances and needs of lower SEP populations. Interventions must be tailored to lower SEP groups and integrated with system-level policies.

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