New figures from IRI estimate that 26% of space is potentially up for grabs in UK supermarkets when new regulations impacting in-store promotion and off-shelf display of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products come into force next year. HFSS categories – including confectionery, yogurts and fruit juices – currently make up 38% of actual store space. This will dro to just 12% when the restrictions are introduced (IRI Analytics: 2019 UK major multiples).

Across all HFSS categories, IRI forecasts that around 5% of sales are at risk, although some categories will be more impacted than others. Chocolate will be most impacted, with 14% of sales estimated to be lost, due to chocolate gaining more incremental sales from being on display and from volume promotions. Sugar confectionery is estimated to lose around 5% of sales (table below).

Estimated impact on HFSS categories due to in-store restrictions: 

Joe Harriman, IRIs HFSS strategic consultant, comments:"With the ban on in-store promotional activity and display for HFSS products, this is a real opportunity for brands that have no in-category competition or that offer healthier alternatives as retailers look to rethink their ranges. 

"Its not just newly available space either. With retailers rethinking their store layout, with initiatives like power aisles and premium in-aisle displays, there are plenty of opportunities for both LFSS (low fat salt sugar) and HFSS categories to benefit."

The race for space in the chilled aisle

IRIs analysis shows that the impact of the new regulations will be felt strongly in the chilled category wher HFSS products currently have 52% of display space, which is expected to dro to 18%. The removal of products like desserts, pizzas and yogurts will increase the amount of available off-shelf space. 

In terms of incremental value within chilled dairy and desserts, IRI data shows that butters, fats and margarines (with 13% of off-shelf space) deliver the most value, with £4,608 of incremental sales per unit of display. Desserts and yogurts have a much lower impact, delivering £995 and £1,060 respectively on sales uplift, despite taking up more than 50% of shelf space.

According to IRIs Joe Harriman, the lasting legacy of the HFSS regulations will be the impact on new product development (NPD) and how manufacturers plan to develop and launch new products in the future.

"We know that 91% of products fail and are gone within 12-18 months. We also know that 16% of all new products have some off-shelf support in the first four weeks after launch, but this will no longer be allowed for HFSS products. Manufacturers and retailers will need to make sure NPDs dont fail and to think seriously about how they launch new products in the future."