Encouraging healthier choices in supermarkets: a co-design approach

Abstract

Purpose This research describes and evaluates the co-creation of a programme called “A Healthy Choice”. Underpinned by design thinking (DT), this study aims to improve the healthfulness of food choices in supermarkets among consumers to promote their well-being. Design/methodology/approach The research features two studies. Study 1 included five co-design workshops with consumers and staff (n = 32) to develop a consumer-centred programme. The findings supported the design and implementation of a programme evaluated in Study 2 (an ecological trial). The programme modified a supermarket environment to increase the prominence of healthier products (shelf-talkers and no discount), ran positive food experiences (cooking and label reading workshops) and was supported by a community-wide information campaign in social and local print media. Findings A total of 15 new strategies were developed by consumers and staff to support health and well-being in supermarkets. Feasibility discussions and staff voting contributed to the development and storewide implementation of the programme. Evaluation showed that the programme was effective in increasing consumer knowledge of healthier food choices (measured via public survey). Sales analysis showed mixed results; sales increased for promoted products in some categories, but there was no effect in others. Research limitations/implications Given the real-world setting in which this programme and its evaluation were conducted, there were several innate limitations. The co-design process generated many more ideas than could be implemented, thus creating a healthy “pipe line” for the next iterations of the programme. Practical implications The key contribution of this work to supermarket intervention literature is the recommendation to change the paradigm of engagement between the key stakeholders who are typically involved in supermarket programs. Using the co-design and DT frameworks, the authors offer an example of stakeholders working together in close partnership to co-design and collaboratively implement a programme that promotes healthier choices. Originality/value This project contributes to the emerging body of empirical work using DT principles in the area of healthy food choices in supermarkets. A rigorously designed evaluation of a co-designed supermarket programme contributes to scholarly evidence on food well-being programs in supermarkets.

Co‐creation of healthier food retail environments: A systematic review to explore the type of stakeholders and their motivations and stage of engagement

“…The 23 papers included comprised 20 separate studies, see Appendix 1 (Table S1) for a general description of included articles. Three of the articles were published between 1980 and 2000, 58–60 seven were published between 2010 and 2015, 61–67 and the majority were between 2016 and 2021 ( n = 13) 68–80 . Among the 23 included papers, Healthy Foods North (HFN), 61,62 Healthy Foods Hawaii (HFH), 63,64 and the Tribal Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) 73,74 were reported in multiple articles.…”

“…Around half of the studies ( n = 11) 59,63–70,73–75,80 were conducted in the United States. The remaining studies were conducted in Australia ( n = 4), 72,76,77,79 Canada ( n = 2), 58,61,62 New Zealand ( n = 1), 78 Finland ( n = 1) 60 and Denmark ( n = 1) 71 …”

“…The rest reported on interventions situated in urban areas ( n = 7) 65–70,78 that targeted communities described as low income or living with poverty 65–70 . Four studies did not describe the target population 59,60,71,79 . Interventions were carried out in supermarkets ( n = 6), 59,60,68,71,78,79 corner stores ( n = 5), 65–67,70,75 food stores ( n = 3), 61–64,72 community stores ( n = 3), 58,76,77 and convenience stores ( n = 2) 69,73,74 …”

Factors Influencing Implementation, Sustainability and Scalability of Healthy Food Retail Interventions: A Systematic Review of Reviews

“…Our review shows this is a gap that needs to be filled to offer enhanced support to the retailers. Furthermore, working with community members to tailor interventions or develop culturally relevant interventions according to their needs, preferences and choices makes co-design a promising approach for implementation, sustainability and scalability of interventions [47][48][49]. One way to build strong trust and partnership between retailers, communities and stakeholders is by enabling retailers to adopt various engagement strategies, such as keeping recurring contact with stakeholders and consumers, providing staff training, offering good customer service and building multi-stakeholder collaboration [50].…”

“…By consolidating the evidence in this systematic review of reviews, we may now be better positioned to test multi-component interventions to overcome barriers to adoption, sustainability and scale up. Planning and developing all aspects of implementation, sustainability and scalability through a co-design process [48,49] with multiple stakeholders is essential to achieve success and for decision makers to replicate the evidence-based strategies into practice that can benefit both the retailers and consumers. These gaps in evidence indicate a significant lack in evaluation of food-retail interventions beyond the implementation stage.…”