{"id":46143,"date":"2026-07-23T07:38:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T07:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=46143"},"modified":"2026-07-23T07:44:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T07:44:53","slug":"abu-dhabi-stores-move-unhealthy-snacks-away-from-checkout-areas-as-shoppers-turn-to-healthier-choices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/abu-dhabi-stores-move-unhealthy-snacks-away-from-checkout-areas-as-shoppers-turn-to-healthier-choices\/","title":{"rendered":"Abu Dhabi Stores Move Unhealthy Snacks Away from Checkout Areas as Shoppers Turn to Healthier Choices."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Supermarkets are gradually removing less nutritious foods and beverages from high-visibility areas such as entrances, aisle displays and checkout sections, with customers already observing the changes.<\/h3>

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Abu Dhabi Supermarkets Remove Unhealthy Products from Key Shopping Areas as Residents Welcome Change<\/h3>

A noticeable change is taking place inside supermarkets across Abu Dhabi, with some stores beginning to remove unhealthy snacks and beverages from areas where customers are most likely to make impulse purchases.<\/p>

At a Carrefour outlet in Abu Dhabi, shoppers have observed that the familiar displays of chocolates, chewing gum and other treats previously placed near checkout queues have disappeared. The empty spaces represent a wider shift in how supermarkets are arranging their products and encouraging customers to make healthier choices.<\/p>

The move follows a new requirement under the Abu Dhabi Healthy Living programme, which calls on supermarkets across the emirate to remove unhealthy food and drink products from what are described as \u201chigh traffic zones\u201d. These areas include store entrances, the ends of aisles and checkout counters \u2014 locations traditionally used by retailers to attract attention and encourage additional purchases.<\/p>

These sections of supermarkets are considered some of the most valuable spaces because customers frequently pass through them during their shopping journey. Products placed in these areas often receive greater visibility and are more likely to be purchased without prior planning.<\/p>

For many shoppers, these displays have long influenced buying decisions, particularly when waiting in line at payment counters or passing through promotional areas. Small snacks and sweets placed within easy reach can often lead to unplanned purchases, especially among families shopping with children.<\/p>

Residents say the removal of these products from high-traffic areas could help change everyday shopping behaviour and reduce the number of unnecessary purchases made during routine supermarket visits.<\/p>

Residents welcome healthier supermarket environments<\/h3>

For some shoppers, the change represents more than a simple adjustment to store layouts. They believe it could influence household habits and encourage families to think more carefully about the products they purchase.<\/p>

Rawdha Mohammed, an Omani resident, said the updated approach could have a positive impact on both adults and children by reducing exposure to products that are often bought spontaneously.<\/p>

She described checkout areas as places where customers are easily encouraged to purchase items they had not originally planned to buy. According to her, many of these purchases happen simply because shoppers are waiting in line and see attractive displays nearby.<\/p>

Mohammed believes removing these products from checkout areas could help families avoid unnecessary spending while also supporting healthier lifestyles. She said the change may be especially beneficial for children, who are often drawn to colourful packaging and sweet products displayed near payment counters.<\/p>

Another resident, Omaima Saleh from Jordan, said she had always been concerned about the placement of unhealthy products near supermarket entrances.<\/p>

She explained that promotional displays and attractive product bundles positioned at the front of stores could distract shoppers from their original shopping lists. According to her, customers entering a supermarket may end up purchasing items they did not intend to buy simply because they are prominently displayed.<\/p>

Saleh welcomed the changes she noticed at Carrefour, saying that placing healthier products in visible locations could encourage shoppers to make more thoughtful decisions. She believes that the first impression customers receive when entering a supermarket can influence the choices they make throughout their visit.<\/p>

By replacing less healthy products in prominent areas with cleaner and healthier alternatives, supermarkets can encourage customers to focus on their actual needs rather than impulse purchases.<\/p>

Reducing unnecessary spending for families<\/h3>

For some households, the change also has financial benefits. Mansour Alhashmi, an Emirati resident, said reducing the availability of sweets near checkout counters could help families manage their shopping expenses more effectively.<\/p>

With a large family of more than nine members, Alhashmi said he pays close attention to what products enter his shopping basket. He explained that small purchases can quickly add up when shopping for a large household.<\/p>

According to him, removing sweets and similar items from cashier areas could make a noticeable difference because these products often become additional purchases made at the last moment.<\/p>

He also highlighted the health impact of reducing access to unnecessary sugary snacks, particularly for children. While these purchases may appear small individually, they can become a regular habit when encouraged by frequent exposure in supermarkets.<\/p>

The changes introduced under the Abu Dhabi Healthy Living programme aim to reshape the shopping environment by making healthier options more visible and reducing the promotion of products considered less beneficial in key customer areas.<\/p>

Changing the way people shop<\/h3>

The redesign of supermarket spaces reflects a broader effort to encourage healthier lifestyles through everyday choices. Rather than relying only on individual decisions, changes to the shopping environment can influence customer behaviour by making healthier options easier to notice.<\/p>

Entrances, aisle ends and checkout areas have traditionally been used for promotional displays because they receive high levels of customer attention. However, the new approach changes how these valuable spaces are used.<\/p>

By reducing the presence of unhealthy products in these locations, supermarkets are creating an environment where shoppers may feel less pressure to make spontaneous purchases. Instead, customers may have more opportunity to focus on planned shopping decisions.<\/p>

Residents who have noticed the changes say the impact could be particularly important for families with children. Young shoppers are often attracted to sweets and snacks placed near checkout areas, making these locations a common source of additional purchases.<\/p>

Removing these products from immediate view may help parents avoid difficult purchasing decisions while encouraging children to develop healthier eating habits.<\/p>

A visible step towards healthier communities<\/h3>

The changes taking place in Abu Dhabi supermarkets are among the visible steps being introduced to support healthier lifestyles across the emirate. By addressing the way products are displayed and promoted, the initiative aims to influence daily habits in a practical way.<\/p>

For shoppers, the disappearance of chocolates, sweets and similar items from checkout queues may seem like a small adjustment, but many residents believe it can create a meaningful difference over time.<\/p>

Healthier shopping environments can support families in making better choices while also reducing unnecessary spending on products that may not contribute positively to household wellbeing.<\/p>

As supermarkets continue adapting their layouts under the new directive, residents are watching closely to see how these changes affect their shopping experiences. Many believe that encouraging healthier decisions begins with creating spaces that make those choices easier.<\/p>

The removal of unhealthy products from high-traffic supermarket zones marks a shift in how retailers approach customer behaviour, placing greater emphasis on wellbeing alongside convenience and sales.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Food Labels and Digital Tools Help Abu Dhabi Residents Make Healthier Choices<\/h3>

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The effort to encourage healthier lifestyles in Abu Dhabi is not limited to changes inside supermarkets. Alongside the removal of unhealthy products from prominent shopping areas, residents are also becoming more aware of what they purchase through improved food information systems.<\/p>

One of the changes gaining attention is the increased use of the Nutri-Mark label on packaged food products. The front-of-package rating system provides shoppers with a simple way to understand the nutritional quality of different items before making a purchase.<\/p>

The grading system ranks products from A to E, with A representing the highest nutritional value and E indicating the lowest. By placing this information clearly on product packaging, the system aims to help consumers compare options more easily while shopping.<\/p>

For many shoppers, nutritional labels provide information that was previously difficult to identify. Instead of relying only on advertising or product appearance, customers can now use the ratings to better understand what they are buying and make more informed decisions.<\/p>

Jamal Abdulaziz, an Egyptian resident, said the introduction of clearer food information has changed the way he approaches grocery shopping. He explained that seeing nutritional details on products encouraged him to reconsider some of his regular purchases.<\/p>

Abdulaziz said he began paying closer attention to ingredients such as sugar content and hydrogenated oils after noticing the information provided on labels. Before these details became more visible, he said he rarely checked the nutritional information on the products he purchased regularly.<\/p>

He added that many of the items affected by his changing habits were common everyday products, including chocolates, chips and juices. While he still enjoys these foods, he said the information helped him recognise the importance of making healthier choices over time.<\/p>

For Abdulaziz, the labels have not meant completely avoiding certain foods but rather becoming more aware of what he consumes. The ability to compare products allows him to make choices based on better knowledge rather than purchasing items without considering their nutritional content.<\/p>

Digital support through the TAMM platform<\/h3>

While food labels are helping shoppers understand packaged products, some residents are also turning to digital tools for additional guidance.<\/p>

Maha Ahmed, an Emirati resident, said the TAMM application has been useful when shopping for products that do not yet display nutritional ratings. The platform helps users understand and classify food items, providing additional information when packaging labels are unavailable.<\/p>

According to Ahmed, digital resources can complement physical labels by giving consumers another way to evaluate products. She believes such tools are especially helpful during the transition period as more products begin adopting clearer nutritional information.<\/p>

Ahmed also expressed hope that similar approaches could eventually expand beyond food products. She suggested that future initiatives could include other categories such as childcare items, personal care products and skincare products, where consumers may also benefit from clearer information.<\/p>

The growing use of labels and digital platforms reflects a broader shift in how residents approach purchasing decisions. Instead of relying only on brand names, packaging designs or promotional offers, more shoppers are looking for information that supports healthier lifestyles.<\/p>

Supermarket changes become more visible<\/h3>

The introduction of healthier shopping practices has also been observed directly inside supermarkets. During a visit to one Carrefour branch in Abu Dhabi, changes were visible in the arrangement of products and the removal of certain items from high-traffic areas.<\/p>

Social media updates indicate that the retailer is gradually implementing the new requirements across its stores in coordination with relevant authorities. The changes are being introduced as part of a wider effort to create healthier shopping environments throughout the emirate.<\/p>

The gradual rollout allows retailers to adjust their layouts while ensuring that the updated practices are implemented consistently. As more supermarkets adopt the approach, residents are expected to become increasingly familiar with healthier product placement and nutritional information.<\/p>

A broader approach to public health<\/h3>

The supermarket changes and food labelling initiatives form part of a wider strategy by Abu Dhabi to promote healthier lifestyles among residents. Rather than focusing only on individual responsibility, the approach aims to influence the surrounding environment where people make everyday decisions.<\/p>

The strategy includes measures such as restrictions on fast food advertising and stronger requirements for school meal standards. These steps are designed to encourage healthier choices in different areas of daily life, from shopping and eating habits to children\u2019s nutrition.<\/p>

By changing the environment around consumers, authorities aim to make healthier options more accessible without removing personal choice. Residents can still purchase products they enjoy, but they are provided with more information and healthier alternatives.<\/p>

This approach focuses on awareness and accessibility rather than strict limitations. The goal is to support people in making better decisions by improving the information available to them and creating environments that encourage balanced choices.<\/p>

Consumers become more informed<\/h3>

For many residents, the combination of supermarket changes, nutritional labels and digital resources represents a shift in how they think about food purchases.<\/p>

Previously, shoppers may have focused mainly on price, convenience or taste when selecting products. However, increased awareness of ingredients and nutritional ratings is encouraging some consumers to consider the longer-term impact of their choices.<\/p>

The Nutri-Mark system provides a quick reference point for shoppers who may not have time to study detailed nutritional information. A simple rating allows customers to compare similar products and identify options that better match their health goals.<\/p>

Digital platforms such as TAMM provide additional support by helping users access information beyond what is available on product packaging. Together, these tools create a more informed shopping experience.<\/p>

Residents who have adopted these resources say they are becoming more conscious of their regular purchases and are making gradual changes rather than completely changing their diets overnight.<\/p>

Building healthier habits through everyday decisions<\/h3>

The changes taking place in Abu Dhabi supermarkets highlight how small adjustments in everyday environments can influence consumer behaviour. When healthier information is easier to access and healthier options are more visible, residents may find it easier to make positive choices.<\/p>

For families, especially those with children, these changes can play an important role in shaping eating habits from an early age. Parents can use nutritional information to guide purchases and encourage children to understand the importance of balanced choices.<\/p>

The wider initiative reflects an effort to build a healthier community by combining education, awareness and practical changes. Instead of focusing only on restrictions, the approach encourages consumers to make informed decisions based on better access to information.<\/p>

As more retailers introduce these measures and more products carry nutritional ratings, residents are likely to become increasingly familiar with the new systems. Over time, these changes may contribute to lasting improvements in shopping habits and overall awareness of healthy living.<\/p>

The move represents a broader transformation in the way consumers interact with food products, placing greater emphasis on transparency, knowledge and long-term wellbeing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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