The introduction of a new levy on sugar has had little impact on consumer behaviour in the UK, according to a report by market research firm Nielsen.
Some 62% of UK shoppers claim to have not changed their consumption behaviour 'in any way' following the introduction of the sugar tax, Nielsen says. Just 20% of respondents said they were checking sugar content on packages more frequently since the tax has come into effect.
Though 11% of surveyed shoppers had stated they would stop drinking sugary soft drinks prior to the tax, this number has since fallen to 1% after the introduction of the sugar tax.
The number of those that said they would continue to buy these drinks actually grew, from 31% in February to 44% in June.
Since the introduction of the sugar tax, 69% of respondents agree that it should be expanded to confectionery and biscuits, according to the Nielsen data.
The introduction of a UK sugar tax follows initiatives in other markets, from Greece to France and Australia in the last few years, both introduced by the industry itself or as a result of a new piece of legislation.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Matthieu Chassain. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
