Evaluating the Implementation and Impact of a Healthier Checkout Program at a Regional Convenience Store Chain.

OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility of implementing and evaluating a healthier checkout pilot study in a convenience store chain. DESIGN A quasi-experimental study was conducted comparing a 3-month "healthier checkouts" intervention in 10 convenience stores which stocked eight healthier items in the checkout space and 10 comparison stores assigned to continue stocking their current checkout space product mix. All aspects of the intervention were implemented by the retailer. The research team conducted in-person fidelity checks to assess implementation. Sales data was collected from the retailer in order to compare mean baseline to intervention sales of the eight healthier items in intervention and comparison groups while controlling for overall store sales. SETTIANG Convenience store chain. PARTICIPANTAS 20 convenience stores in New Hampshire. RESULTS The increases in sales of healthier items between the baseline and intervention periods among the intervention and comparison stores were not statistically significant; however, the overall pattern of the results showed promising changes that should be expanded on in future studies. Intervention fidelity checks indicated that results may have been attenuated by variability in intervention implementation. CONCLUSIONS This study advances the evidence for effective promotion of healthier food purchases in the convenience chain setting and adds the current literature on retail check space interventions. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand these results.