Death of the Bogof as shops ditch discount deals to curb obesity

MULTIBUY deals such as ‘buy one, get one free’ and ‘3-for-2’ have been virtually eradicated in Scotland as shops and supermarkets move to tackle concerns about obesity.

Crisps, fizzy drinks, biscuits and sweets have been sold under so-called BOGOF deals for years to entice customers into shops and encourage them to buy higher quantities.

Now the offers have ‘almost entirely disappeared’ north of the Border, according to research by Scottish Government quango Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

The findings sparked claims that the Government’s plan to ban such deals on unhealthy foods is unnecessary and will not improve the nation’s health.

The FSS report said that in 2010 2 per cent of all calories purchased in Scotland were on multibuy promotions.

However, it noted that in 2016, the most recent year for which research findings are available, this had fallen to ‘nearly zero’.

The report authors state: ‘Since 2010, the balance of different types of price promotions has changed. Y for £X and multibuys have declined, with multibuys having almost entirely disappeared.’

Calories purchased through ‘Y for £X’ offers, such as 3 for £1, have declined from 13 per cent in 2010 to 8 per cent in 2016.

But over the same period, the proportion of calories bought through other temporary price reductions has increased from 21 per cent to 26 per cent.

The Government consulted on its proposals to improve the health of the nation last year.

Key recommendations included a ban on price promotions on junk food and outlawing advertising of unhealthy food before 9pm.

The Scottish Retail Consortium, which represents most of the main supermarkets, said its anecdotal research suggested there had been a further move away from promotions on unhealthy foods in the past year.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy at the SRC, said: ‘Recent years have seen many retailers move away from multi-buy promotions towards single pricing models.

‘That change is driven by customers wanting clearer and simpler pricing, but also as retailers take further action to encourage customers to make healthier choices.

‘The report reaffirms our call that any measures which look to restrict promotional activity in stores need to be based on clear evidence, targeted at specific issues, and be brought forwards on a mandatory basis to ensure retailers can continue to compete on a level playing field.’

A Scottish Food and Drink Federation spokesman said: ‘Retailers and manufacturers use a range of price points and promotional strategies to give consumers choice and great value for money.

‘The Scottish Government has consulted on restricting price promotions but we believe this will hit the poorest shoppers hardest.

‘There is not one single solution to tackling obesity and only a holistic approach will have any chance of success.’

The Scottish Daily Mail first disclosed SNP plans to ban promotions of unhealthy foods last October.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We welcome this voluntary action by the food and retail industries. But this is still not enough to make the step change Scotland needs to tackle our diet and obesity problem.

‘We are going to take decisive action to restrict promotions of foods high in fat, sugar and salt.’

‘Will hit poorer shoppers hardest’