Marketing Sustainability Analysis of Stores Participating in a Healthier Retail Food Program

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine how food retailers completing Shop Healthy NYC, a healthy food retail program, (1) changed availability, placement, and promotion of healthier food immediately after participation and (2) sustained changes 1-year postintervention. MethodsFrom 2014 to 2017, stores in 2 high-poverty New York City neighborhoods participated in a low-intensity intervention focused on in-store advertising or a high-intensity intervention to meet 7 criteria related to availability, placement, and promotion of healthy items. Stores were assessed preintervention (Pre), 1-month postintervention (Post 1), and 12–16 months postintervention (Post 2). Analyses were restricted to stores that completed the intervention and were assessed at all time points (n = 64). Changes were compared across time points. ResultsAcross stores participating in the low-intensity intervention, the ratio of unhealthy-to-healthy ads decreased from Pre to Post 1, and by Post 2 remained improved over baseline. Among stores participating in the high-intensity intervention, the median number of healthy criteria met increased from 3.5 to 6 from Pre to Post 1 and decreased to 5 at Post 2. ConclusionsImprovements in the marketing and availability, placement, and promotion of healthy products are feasible but may require reinforcement and additional support over time.