Waitrose is hiring in-store nutritionists

Photo credit: Waitrose
Photo credit: Waitrose

From Country Living

Find it hard to stay away from the confectionary aisle? Waitrose has come up with a plan to help shoppers think twice about their food choices.

The supermarket chain is hiring 100 new ‘Healthy Eating Specialists’ who will work in stores to encourage customers to stay away from junk food and choose healthier alternatives.

Once trained up, the shop-floor advisers will be on hand to help customers review the nutritional value of the items in their shopping baskets. For example, an adviser might suggest a switch to a product containing less salt and sugar. The first 11 specialists will be in stores in the next six weeks, with the rest due to start by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Waitrose
Photo credit: Waitrose

"Many shoppers have the best intentions to be healthier but busy lives get in the way," Moira Howie, Waitrose’s Nutrition & Health Manager, said. "We know that small steps, top tips and nuggets of good advice can help them get started and importantly stay on track. Research shows that changes do not have to be radical to have a positive effect and can have a lasting impact on health."

As part of its new health initiative, the chain is adding a ‘Good Health’ mark on more than 1600 lines to make it easier for customers to make healthier choices. Waitrose is also trialling a private consultation scheme in three pilot stores in the south east, where shoppers can pay £95 for a personalised diet plan.

The focus on wellbeing comes after Tesco, Boots and Aldi banned sweets and chocolates from their checkouts in recent years.

And this isn't the only new project Waitrose has launched recently. It announced that it would be removing all disposable coffee cups from its stores, meaning shoppers after their free tea or coffee will need to bring their own reusable cup.

Good work Waitrose!

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