A report published today (1 September) attacking UK retailers over their promotion of unhealthy foods is “misleading”, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has claimed.
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The Cut-price, What cost? report by the National Consumer Council (NCC) argues that UK retailers run too many promotions on high-fat and sugary foods and not enough promotions for fruit and vegetables.
However, the BRC has criticised the report claiming that it is based on a one-off survey of retailer promotions in one UK city conducted last March.
“It is quite misleading because the survey was conducted during Easter – when retailers have a lot of promotions on seasonal confectionery running,” a spokesperson for the BRC told just-food.
The BRC said that promotions often depend on seasonal factors, with more fruit and vegetable promotions in the summer and spring, while “treat” foods are heavily promoted around Easter and Christmas.
In a statement, BRC food director Andrew Opie said: “This report rightly recognises the huge numbers of discounts and promotions retailers are offering cash-strapped customers and their achievements in informing customers and reformulating products.
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By GlobalData“But the NCC’s one-off March snapshot is misleading. Customers will have seen for themselves the current high-profile supermarket price war centred on fruit and vegetables.”
The NCC was unavailable for further comment as just-food went to press.
