Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment

Summary of assessment findings

The policy is expected to have a positive impact on public health across all population groups including those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. This is on the basis that around 40% of all take home food and drink is purchased on price promotion in Scotland with little or no difference in the proportion of energy purchased on promotion according to household SIMD. Less healthy food and drink categories were more frequently purchased on promotion (around 50% of purchase) compared to the staple, healthier categories (around 30% of purchase).

A rapid evidence review found that price promotions increased the volume of customer purchases, leading to unplanned spend and increased shopping costs. This review suggests that whilst promotions may appear to offer better value for customers, evidence shows that overall, they are more likely to increase the cost of food shopping rather than reduce costs. It is therefore not anticipated that restricting promotions of HFSS products are likely to have a differential impact on low income households.