M & S store layout

Our local Waitrose has closed one of its entrance doors and made it exit only When questioned staff say that it is a new government policy not to have an entrance close to the bakery.

I suspect it's not just children. Adults are also tempted as they stand in a queue to pay.

Nanny government helps to fight obesity. Apparently people don't believe what they are told.

growstuff

I suspect it's not just children. Adults are also tempted as they stand in a queue to pay.

Yes, but should we not be able to exercise self discipline? I should have also said that they’ve put the alcohol where the confectionery was, how about all the people who might be tempted by buying alcohol? ?

All the food stores seem to be moving their products around, more I think , to disorientate the customer who then passes in front of unfamiliar products and makes impulse purchases.

Some people have no self-discipline and can’t say ‘no’ to children. I think it’s a sensible move. Sweets were only near the till to tempt people, especially children. Having alcohol near the till sounds like a good security measure as it’s frequently stolen. The price is such that it’s far less likely to be a temptation than a packet of sweets.

Given the obesity epidemic, this seems an excellent idea. Along with other measures, it will probably save the NHS money.

People will still be able to find the confectionery - this will cut down on impulse buys.

I don't object to this actually. I have a sweeter tooth than I ever had as I get older and love a bit of cake as a treat rather than sweets.But there is a serious problem in this country with obesity and diabetes and it is costing the NHS therefore all of us a fortune. Our grandchildren know that making a fuss and wanting sweets at the checkout won't get them anywhere, as did our children. That doesn't mean they never get a treat.But we are being swamped with choice and too much of it sugar laden in stores .I don't mind if they relocate confectionery. It's still there to purchase just not at the till.

eazybee

All the food stores seem to be moving their products around, more I think , to disorientate the customer who then passes in front of unfamiliar products and makes impulse purchases.

I heard a lot of disgruntled mutterings from shoppers as they tried to find their normal groceries in the newly re-designed Tesco.

I haven't seen confectionery at the tills for a long time and yes, I do remember getting home to find my thieving toddler had a tube of Smarties in her pushchair. That was many years ago.

Agree with eazybee, our Tesco has moved everything around again, I think it's so as you have to wander around looking for whatever it is you need and they hope you will be tempted by something that catches your eye whilst you are doing it

I don't really see how it matters, to be honest. Those who want sweets will still buy them, no matter where they are located in the store. Lots of supermarkets moved sweets away from the tills a while back.

Jemimasmum

Our local Waitrose has closed one of its entrance doors and made it exit only When questioned staff say that it is a new government policy not to have an entrance close to the bakery.

That, IMO, is simply unacceptable.

When a government department gives out information and recommendations to the public on how to protect themselves during a heatwave, people call it "nannying". Which I don't think it is - because you are free to listen to the advice or completely ignore it.

But this is on a different level. This is more than nannying - this is the darned government controlling what the public can and can't do in an environment / area in which it shouldn't.

I know there is a problem with obesity, but that should be dealt with by concentrating on its root causes - too many for me to bang on about and bore people, and not by infantilising the whole nation and attempting to dictate to it.

How effective is it anyway? If I'm determined to have a donut, I'll have one regardless of where they attempt to hide the bakery. I doubt this initiative will have a great impact on the obesity problem. It's just more intrusive tinkering around the edges, the cheap option.

Well, I got that off my chest.

Confectionery quite near the tills in our local M&S. Small sweets lined along the conveyor belt too.

Tesco, along with other retailers, have moved stuff around to comply with new regulations about salt products. They can’t be displayed near to something else, cannot recall what. Sugary things maybe.

Dickens

My thoughts exactly. I f I want to buy a cake I will, regardless of where in the store it is displayed.

Although generally speaking I hate the nanny state, as far as obesity goes, I am in favour of absolutely any measures taken to tackle the problem.

I think nudges are a good thing in terms of public health, the smoking ban was transformational in terms of reducing consumption.

Some people don’t have self discipline as evidenced by high rates of obesity/ diabetes/ alcohol and drug abuse et etc The governments role is to provide services and protection for its citizens. It’s not “nannying” to make cigarettes or highly processed sugary/ salty/ fatty foods less attractive. A system which lets anyone sell anything to anyone without regulation would be akin to the Wild West.

The confectionary is a long way from the tills in one local M&S store. It’s always been there, with all the grocery foods and alcohol. The fridges and freezers are nearest the tills.

I’ve no objection to sweets being moved away from checkouts. Never mind children, I’m all too likely to be tempted to buy a KitKat or Mars bar.

I do hate it, though, when a supermarket I use a lot decides to swap everything around. Takes so much longer to find what I want - and of course they only do it in the hope that you’ll notice and buy things you usually wouldn’t.

Governments rule and kids rule their idle parents who will do antyhing for a quiet life.
If i said no to my boys,they wouldnt dream of throwing a hissy fit.

I agree timetogo, my children were the same - I was lucky my children did not have autism or any other related condition. Many parents are really struggling with such issues - and it is not easy!!!
That apart , many toddlers will demand sweet treats at the cash out ,- they may be tired after along day in nursery! I was fortunate and didn't work when my children were in their pre school years. They spent one morning each week in a wonderful playgroup and the rest of the time with me. If I was a young mum working full time with small children ( with it without a behavioral condition) and I and my children were exhausted I would be very grateful to be able to queue at the till and not be faced with all those sweets! So I am very much in favour of supermarket checkouts being sweetie free!

With or without !

Moving things around certainly doesn't make me buy more in our local supermarket, it just annoys me. I know what I want when I go shopping and seldom impulse buy (except in our brilliant local discount store!)