American-style “candy” superstores opening across the UK are selling “single servings” of sweets that contain two and a half times the maximum amount of sugar a child should consume daily.
The giant sweet shops selling imported fizzy drinks, cereals, chocolate bars and sweets are increasingly occupying premium retail space, filling gaps left by fashion chains and electrical retailers.
These stores are said to be benefiting from the “lipstick effect”, whereby consumers spend money on small indulgences during difficult economic times.
The campaign group Action on Sugar describes the trend as “shocking” and warns it could fuel childhood obesity and tooth decay. One in four children in year 6, who are aged 10-11, are now obese compared with 21 per cent before the pandemic, NHS figures
