Fit for the Future: What the 10 Year Health Plan Means for Retail
Helping retailers navigate health policy, influence outcomes and prepare for future regulatory change across the UK.
1. The 10 Year Health Plan at a Glance
The Government's Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England sets out a long-term vision for improving public health through prevention, innovation and earlier intervention. The strategy seeks to reduce pressure on the NHS, improve health outcomes and create healthier communities. Many of the proposals have significant implications for retailers, particularly those operating within the food, drink and hospitality sectors.
2. Healthier Food Sales & Reformulation
The Government is exploring a range of measures designed to improve the nutritional quality of food purchased by consumers. Proposals include mandatory health food sales reporting, new targets linked to the healthiness of sales, reform of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and an update to the Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM). Together, these measures could influence product development, reporting requirements, range planning and reformulation strategies across the retail sector.
3. Promotions, Advertising & Consumer Choice
A key focus of the strategy is to make healthier choices easier for consumers. This includes restrictions on the promotion and advertising of less healthy products, particularly where children may be exposed. Retailers will need to consider how evolving regulations affect marketing activity, store layouts, promotional mechanics and customer engagement strategies.
4. Children, Young People & Health
Several proposals are aimed at improving health outcomes for children and young people. These include restrictions on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s and giving local authorities greater powers to limit new fast-food outlets near schools. These measures form part of a broader ambition to encourage healthier habits from an early age and reduce childhood obesity.
5. Alcohol & No/Low Alcohol Products
The Government is considering changes to alcohol policy, including mandatory nutritional information and health warnings on alcoholic drinks. It is also seeking to support growth within the no- and low-alcohol market while reviewing how these products should be regulated and marketed. Retailers will need to monitor developments carefully as proposals evolve.
6. Tackling Health Inequalities
Reducing health inequalities is a central theme throughout the strategy. Policies such as restoring the value of Healthy Start and improving access to healthier products are intended to support better health outcomes across all communities. Retailers have an important role to play in helping customers access affordable and healthier choices.
7. Devolved Nations Health Strategies
Alongside England's 10 Year Health Plan, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have each published long-term health strategies with similar objectives around prevention, healthy weight management and reducing health inequalities. While implementation approaches may differ, many policy themes are aligned across the UK and should be monitored by retailers operating nationally.
8. What This Means for Retailers
The health policy landscape is becoming increasingly complex and fast moving. Retailers face both challenges and opportunities as governments seek to improve public health outcomes through regulation, reporting requirements and voluntary industry action. Understanding emerging policy directions will be critical for compliance, business planning and customer engagement.
9. BRC Activity & Member Support
Through the Nutrition Working Group, BRC supports members in understanding policy developments, influencing decision-makers and preparing for future requirements. We facilitate engagement with government, coordinate industry responses to consultations, share best practice and provide a forum for retailers to learn from one another and address common challenges.