RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Is tobacco a driver of footfall among small retailers? A geographical analysis of tobacco purchasing using electronic point of sale data
JF Tobacco Control
JO Tob Control
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 747
OP 756
DO 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057089
VO 32
IS 6
A1 Tunstall, Helena
A1 Shortt, Niamh K
A1 Kong, Amanda Y
A1 Pearce, Jamie
YR 2023
UL http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/32/6/747.abstract
AB Objective Opponents of policies designed to reduce tobacco retail availability argue that tobacco products are a vital driver of ‘footfall’ in small retailers. This study considers the changing contribution of tobacco to footfall and revenue among convenience stores across Britain, compares tobacco to other ‘footfall driver’ products and assesses whether tobacco’s importance varies by neighbourhood deprivation and urban/rural status.Methods We conducted an analysis of electronic point of sale systems data from 1253 convenience stores in Britain in 4 weeks in 2016 and 2019. We calculated the number and value of purchased basket types (Tobacco Only, Non-Tobacco, Mixed) in each year and by neighbourhood characteristics.Results The mean numbers of baskets per store containing tobacco fell by 47% during 2016–2019, a greater decline than any other footfall driver product. The sales value of tobacco products rose sharply over this time period due to increasing unit price. However, the proportion of store turnover accounted for by tobacco transactions declined. There were marked falls in the turnover from non-tobacco products in Mixed tobacco baskets. The proportion of baskets containing tobacco and the value of turnover from these baskets was greater in more deprived and urban areas but these places also experienced larger reductions over time, narrowing differences between areas.Conclusion Tobacco’s importance as a driver of footfall and related turnover among convenience retailers has reduced significantly in Britain in recent years, particularly in deprived and urban areas, undermining industry claims that tobacco is essential to the viability of these businesses.Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Data on tobacco purchases must be requested from The Retail Data Partnership. Neighbourhood data describing income deprivation and urban/rural status in England, Wales and Scotland are publicly available.