Tobacco sales have fallen by as much as 39% at some Netto stores, following the decision by parent company Salling Group to ‘hide’ tobacco products from view at checkouts.
The group announced the rollout of the initiative to 500 of its stores in July, in a bid to stop young people from gaining access to tobacco products.
The retailer carried out studies at several stores at which young people comprise a sizeable part of the customer base, and found that cigarette sales fell by between 12% and 39% at these stores.
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For example, sales at the group’s Hellerup store in northern Copenhagen, which boasts two colleges in its vicinity, have fallen by 20%. At Storcenter Nord in Aarhus, which also has a university nearby, sales have fallen by 27%.
“In addition to the fact that the sale of cigarettes has fallen in general, the figures show that the trend is even clearer and even more pronounced in the Netto stores that many young people visit,” said Brian Seemann Broe, country director, Netto.
“It is very pleasing and shows that the initiative has a tangible and positive effect.”
Following the rollout of the initiative to Netto stores, Salling Group is also introducing the measure in its føtex, Bilka and Salling stores.
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