As of Tuesday, October 1, 2026, supermarket layouts across Scotland have undergone a significant transformation. New regulations are now in effect that restrict where certain foods can be placed and how they are priced, moving items like sugary cereals and snacks away from prominent “impulse buy” locations.
The Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 specifically target products high in fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS). Under these rules, retailers are no longer permitted to display these items at shop entrances, checkouts, or aisle ends. Additionally, price-based promotions such as “buy one get one free” (BOGOF) and multi-buy deals like “3 for 2” are now banned for products that fall under the HFSS criteria.
Which shops are affected?
The regulations do not apply to every retailer in the country. The Scottish Government has established specific thresholds to focus on larger businesses while protecting smaller independent shops. The location-based restrictions—such as the ban on sweets at the checkout—only apply to businesses with 50 or more employees and a total shop floor area of more than 2,000 square feet.
Smaller local shops may still display snacks at the counter or use aisle ends for promotions, provided they do not meet both the staffing and floor space requirements. However, the ban on multi-buy price promotions applies more broadly to businesses with 50 or more employees, regardless of the physical size of the store.
To determine which specific products are restricted, the government uses the UK Nutrient Profiling Model. This technical standard scores food based on its nutritional content; products that exceed certain limits for calories, saturated fat, sugar, or sodium are classified as HFSS and subject to the new placement and pricing rules.
The ‘Meal Deal’ and alcohol exemptions
Despite some initial confusion regarding lunchtime staples, the Scottish Government has clarified that “meal deals” are explicitly excluded from these regulations. This means shoppers can still purchase a sandwich, snack, and drink for a set price, even if the snack or drink would otherwise be classified as an HFSS product.
Alcohol promotions are also excluded from this specific set of regulations, as they are already governed by separate licensing laws in Scotland. The official guidance for the food promotion rules notes that these measures are intended to reshape the shopping environment rather than remove products from shelves entirely.
Shoppers can still buy any of the affected items at any time; the law simply mandates that they must be found in their regular designated aisles rather than at high-visibility points designed to trigger unplanned purchases.
Public health and economic impact
Public Health Minister Maree Todd stated that the measures aim to support healthier eating habits by reducing the frequency of impulse buys. Current data from Public Health Scotland indicates that approximately 66% of adults in Scotland are overweight or obese, a figure the government hopes to address by curbing the promotion of less healthy options.
While health advocates have welcomed the change, the retail sector has noted the logistical challenge of the transition. The Scottish Retail Consortium estimates the total cost of implementation for retailers—including reconfiguring store layouts and updating pricing systems—at approximately £20 million.
