Skip to main content
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Press Room
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility Statement
Find A Grant
Global Search Dialog
    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    • Our Vision
      • Our Vision Overview
      • Why Health Equity
      • Focus Areas
      • Measuring RWJF Progress
    • Grants
      • Grants Overview
      • Active Funding Opportunities
      • Awarded Grants
      • Grantee Stories
      • Grant Process
      • Grantee Resources
    • Insights
      • Insights Overview
      • Blog
      • Our Research
      • Advocacy And Policy
    • About RWJF
      • About RWJF Overview
      • Our Guiding Principles
      • How We Work
      • Impact Investments
      • Staff And Trustees
      • Press Room
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility Statement
    Find A Grant
    Global Search Dialog

      How Supermarkets Are Shaping Up and Growing Their Lower-Calorie Products

      Research Jun-09-2015 | Cardello H, Wolfson J | 1-min read
      1. Insights
      2. Our Research
      3. How Supermarkets Are Shaping Up and Growing Their Lower-Calorie Products
      Download report Download press release (Web)
      A young girl shopping for fresh produce.

       

      Supermarket sales of lower-calorie foods and beverages grew more quickly between 2009 and 2013 than did sales for higher-calorie products.

       

      The Issue

      Over $638 billion is spent in supermarkets annually, giving them a major role in displaying and marketing foods and beverages. This report examined supermarket sales of lower-calorie items, to determine whether they were capitalizing on consumer trends in demand for these items. It also looked at sales in food deserts, and sales of the foods and beverages that contribute the most calories to young people's diets.

       

      Key Findings


       

      • Supermarket sales of lower-calorie foods and beverages are growing faster than higher-calorie options.
      • Lower-calorie product sales in supermarkets command a higher percentage of total sales than they do for either food and beverage companies or restaurants.
      • Higher-calorie versions make up the overwhelming proportion of sales of products contributing the most calories to children and adolescents, and are growing at a faster clip.
      • Despite growing faster than higher-calorie items, lower-calorie product share of total sales under-performs in food deserts, compared to supermarkets located outside food deserts.

       

      Conclusion

      Supermarkets are gaining the majority of their food and beverage sales growth from lower-calorie products, but there is still the opportunity to grow even more. They also need to place greater focus on lower-calorie versions of products contributing the most calories to the diets of children and adolescents.

      About the Grantee

      Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis. The mission of its Obesity Solutions Initiative is to bring about practical, market-oriented solutions to the world's overweight and obesity epidemic. Founded in 1961, Hudson has celebrated a half century of forging ideas that promote security, prosperity, and freedom.

      Related Content

      Research

      Lower-Calorie Foods:

      Restaurant chains that increased their servings of lower-calorie items between 2006 and 2011 saw better business results

      1-min read

      Childhood Obesity
      • About this Grant

      Subscribe to receive Funding Alerts & more

      Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners.

      Email address already subscribed. Please check your inbox to manage your subscriptions.

      Subscribed!

      Thank you. You are now subscribed.

      Tell us what type of content you want to receive.

      Be informed with our twice a month newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities.

      Get funded by RWJF: Receive notifications when new funding opportunities are released.

      Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more.

      Shop talk for researchers. This monthly newsletter covers research news and opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

      Communications expedite action. Get periodic research and expert insights on the best ways to communicate so we can spread what works.

      Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. If you're interested, we'll send you this information under "There's more...". *If you've indicated you are an EU resident, we will only send these communications if you intentionally check this box.

      Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

      Area(s) Of Interest

      Unsubscribe

      Stop receiving all emails from RWJF

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      • CONTACT RWJF

        50 College Road East
        Princeton, NJ 08540-6614

         

        US Toll Free: (877) 843-7953

        International: +1 (609) 627-6000

      • MANAGE YOUR GRANTS

        MyRWJF Login

        • Facebook
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram

      • Our Vision
        • Our Vision Overview
        • Why Health Equity
        • Focus Areas
        • Measuring RWJF Progress
      • Grants
        • Grants Overview
        • Active Funding Opportunities
        • Awarded Grants
        • Grantee Stories
        • Grant Process
        • Grantee Resources
      • Insights
        • Insights Overview
        • Blog
        • Our Research
        • Advocacy And Policy
      • About RWJF
        • About RWJF Overview
        • Our Guiding Principles
        • How We Work
        • Impact Investments
        • Staff And Trustees
        • Press Room
        • Careers
        • Contact Us
        • Accessibility Statement

      ©2001- 

      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

       

      • Manage Email
      • Privacy Statement
      • Terms and Conditions