Yichen Zhong1, Amy H Auchincloss2, Mark F Stehr3, Brent A Langellier4. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. yz624@dragons.drexel.edu. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. 3. School of Economics, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. 4. Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Price promotions on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are commonly used by retailers to provide economic incentives for purchasing. Surprisingly, there is a lack of high-quality articles that examine the frequency and magnitude of sugary beverage discounting and consumer responses to discounts. The objective of this study is to quantify the association between exposure to price discounts and SSB purchases. METHODS: This cross-sectional study linked 2016 SSB consumption data from a U.S. household consumer panel (analytic sample N = 11,299 households) and weekly prices at stores where they shopped. We derived percent of the time SSBs were discounted (annual promotion frequency) and the amount of the discount (annual promotion magnitude) and assessed their association with household annual per capita SSB purchase ounces. Linear regression models adjusted for household size, income per capita, age, education, presence of children, race, occupation, region, and urbanicity. We also evaluated whether the association between promotion and purchase varied by socioeconomic status and race subgroups. Data were analyzed in 2019-2020. RESULTS: On average, households were exposed to SSBs price promotions 44% of the time. A 10-percentage point increase in annual SSB promotion frequency was associated with 13.7% increase in annual per capita purchasing (P < 0.0001), and a 1-percentage point increase in annual SSB promotion magnitude was associated with 15.3% increase in annual per capita purchasing (P < 0.0001). These associations did no vary significantly across socioeconomic status and race subgroups (Interaction P > 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: More frequent and deeper price promotion was associated with higher annual per capita SSB purchases. Restricting SSB price promotions may be effective at reducing SSB consumption.
BACKGROUND: Price promotions on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are commonly used by retailers to provide economic incentives for purchasing. Surprisingly, there is a lack of high-quality articles that examine the frequency and magnitude of sugary beverage discounting and consumer responses to discounts. The objective of this study is to quantify the association between exposure to price discounts and SSB purchases. METHODS: This cross-sectional study linked 2016 SSB consumption data from a U.S. household consumer panel (analytic sample N = 11,299 households) and weekly prices at stores where they shopped. We derived percent of the time SSBs were discounted (annual promotion frequency) and the amount of the discount (annual promotion magnitude) and assessed their association with household annual per capita SSB purchase ounces. Linear regression models adjusted for household size, income per capita, age, education, presence of children, race, occupation, region, and urbanicity. We also evaluated whether the association between promotion and purchase varied by socioeconomic status and race subgroups. Data were analyzed in 2019-2020. RESULTS: On average, households were exposed to SSBs price promotions 44% of the time. A 10-percentage point increase in annual SSB promotion frequency was associated with 13.7% increase in annual per capita purchasing (P < 0.0001), and a 1-percentage point increase in annual SSB promotion magnitude was associated with 15.3% increase in annual per capita purchasing (P < 0.0001). These associations did no vary significantly across socioeconomic status and race subgroups (Interaction P > 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: More frequent and deeper price promotion was associated with higher annual per capita SSB purchases. Restricting SSB price promotions may be effective at reducing SSB consumption.
Authors: Lisa M Powell; Shiriki K Kumanyika; Zeynep Isgor; Leah Rimkus; Shannon N Zenk; Frank J Chaloupka Journal: Prev Med Date: 2016-01-29 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Christina Zorbas; Beth Gilham; Tara Boelsen-Robinson; Miranda R C Blake; Anna Peeters; Adrian J Cameron; Jason H Y Wu; Kathryn Backholer Journal: Aust N Z J Public Health Date: 2019-06-10 Impact factor: 2.939
Authors: Devorah Riesenberg; Kathryn Backholer; Christina Zorbas; Gary Sacks; Anna Paix; Josephine Marshall; Miranda R Blake; Rebecca Bennett; Anna Peeters; Adrian J Cameron Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2019-08-15 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Julie Brimblecombe; Megan Ferguson; Mark D Chatfield; Selma C Liberato; Anthony Gunther; Kylie Ball; Marj Moodie; Edward Miles; Anne Magnus; Cliona Ni Mhurchu; Amanda Jane Leach; Ross Bailie Journal: Lancet Public Health Date: 2017-01-25