A couple of years ago delegates at the annual conference of convenience stores were given a stark warning: start developing fresh produce in your store or you’ll be out of business within 10 years.
Thanks at least in part to the Scottish Grocers’ Federation healthyliving Programme, which launched as a pilot in 2004 and has just completed its most ambitious, three-year third phase, that message seems to be hitting home. Backed by Scottish Government funding, the programme’s aim is to improve the range, quality and availability of fruit and vegetables in convenience stores across the country.
Over 600 stores are now involved in the scheme and, importantly, over half are situated in deprived areas where fruit and vegetable consumption tends to be low.
By every measure it’s been a success. In the last three years most stores involved in the programme have reported year on year increases in fruit and vegetables sales of between 10 and 20%. Customers are also eating more fresh produce and a growing number are making meals from scratch.
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