by Christina Vogel, Sarah Crozier, Preeti Dhuria, Joanne Lord, Graham Moon, Wendy Lawrence, Janet Cade, Kylie Ball, Cyrus Cooper, Janis Baird Background Previous product placement trials have been underpowered and limited in outcomes. This study assessed effects of positioning an expanded fruit and vegetable section near entrances on store-level sales, household-level purchasing and waste, and dietary behaviours.
Methods and findings This prospective matched controlled cluster trial (NIHR 17/44/46) involved 36 stores (18 intervention and 18 control) of a discount supermarket chain in England. The study took place between March 2018 and May 2022, and the intervention was implemented for six months.
Control stores were matched on store sales, customer profiles and neighbourhood deprivation. Women customers aged 18–60 years, with loyalty cards, who shopped at intervention ( n = 280) or control ( n = 300) stores agreed to participate.
The primary outcome was household purchasing of fresh fruit and vegetables.
PLOS Medicine published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 31 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Impact of supermarket fruit and vegetable placement on store sales, customer purchasing, diet and household waste: A prospective matched-controlled cluster trial.
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