British Shoppers Opting for Healthier Food: Trade Survey

LONDON -- It's not just U.S. supermarkets that are being affected by growing waistlines and consumers' desires to eat healthier. Sales of popular brands of traditional snack foods and sweets in Britain are suffering from a slump, according to a new study by The Grocer, a British trade publication, based on ACNielsen sales data.

Walkers Crisps lost nearly euro 30 million in sales across its range of bagged snacks over the 12 months, according to the survey. Sugar confectionery sales were also down nearly 3 percent.

Meanwhile healthier cereals such as Weetabix, Special K, and All-Bran experienced sales growth.

In the beverage category, fruit juices, bottled water, and pro biotic drinks are selling better than tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks. Sales of alcohol also increased, with consumers spending euro 11.54 billion.

An editor from The Grocer said that health is the No. 1 issue in the industry at this time. Companies are responding by lowering the fat, sugar, and salt content in their products, she noted.
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