According to Gram Research analysis of 42,294 checkout products in Southern California, only 33% of items displayed at store checkout counters meet basic nutrition standards. Candy, gum, salty snacks, and sugary drinks make up 74% of checkout products, while fruits and vegetables account for less than 1%. This research shows that store checkouts are deliberately stocked with unhealthy foods designed to encourage impulse purchases while you wait in line.
A Gram Research analysis of store checkouts in Southern California found that nearly 70% of items displayed at checkout counters fail to meet basic nutrition standards. Researchers examined over 42,000 products at checkout lanes across different store types and found that candy, salty snacks, and sugary drinks dominate these high-impulse locations, while healthy options like fruits and vegetables are nearly absent. The study shows why checkout policies matter: without rules, stores naturally stock unhealthy items where customers are most tempted to make quick purchases.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 88 Southern California stores examining 42,294 checkout products found that only 33% met Perris’s nutrition standards and just 22% met Berkeley’s stricter standards.
Candy dominated store checkouts at 35% of all products, while fruits and vegetables were nearly absent at less than 1% of checkout items, according to the 2023 Southern California retail audit.
Sugary drinks, salty snacks, candy, and gum together accounted for 74% of all checkout products in the study of 88 stores across Southern California.
Independent grocery stores had the lowest percentage of healthy checkout items compared to chain supermarkets, drugstores, and mass merchandisers in the Southern California analysis.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether foods and drinks at store checkout counters are healthy or unhealthy, and how many meet basic nutrition standards
- Who participated: Researchers looked at 88 stores in Southern California (19 in Perris and 69 in nearby cities) including supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, dollar stores, and independent grocery stores. They counted every single product displayed at checkout lanes.
- Key finding: Only 33% of checkout products met healthy nutrition standards in Perris, and just 22% met stricter Berkeley standards. Candy made up 35% of all checkout items, while fruits and vegetables were less than 1%.
- What it means for you: Store checkouts are designed to tempt you with unhealthy snacks when you’re waiting in line. Understanding this helps you make better choices and avoid impulse purchases of sugary and salty foods.
The Research Details
Researchers visited 88 stores across Southern California in June 2023 and counted every single product displayed at checkout counters. They looked at 42,294 individual product facings (the front of each product you see). They then checked whether each product met the nutrition standards that Perris, California created for a “healthy checkout” policy. This is called a cross-sectional study because researchers took a snapshot of checkout products at one point in time, rather than following changes over months or years.
The researchers compared results using two different sets of nutrition standards: Perris’s standards and the stricter standards from Berkeley, California, which was the first U.S. city to pass a healthy checkout law. They also looked at differences between store types (like supermarkets versus dollar stores) and between different checkout locations (like regular checkout lanes versus endcaps, which are the displays at the ends of aisles).
This approach is useful because it shows exactly what customers see when they’re standing in line, without any changes being made yet. It’s like taking a photo of the problem before trying to fix it.
Checkout lanes are special because people are waiting in line with nothing to do but look at products. This is when impulse buying happens most. By measuring what’s actually there before any new rules take effect, researchers can prove whether a healthy checkout policy would make a real difference. This evidence helps cities decide if they should pass similar laws.
This study is reliable because researchers physically counted products at many different stores (88 total) and looked at a huge number of items (42,294). They used consistent standards to judge whether products were healthy or not. However, the study only looked at one moment in time (June 2023), so it doesn’t show how checkout products change throughout the year or over many years. The study was also limited to Southern California, so results might be different in other parts of the country.
What the Results Show
The main finding is striking: only one-third of checkout products met Perris’s nutrition standards, and fewer than one-quarter met Berkeley’s stricter standards. This means that roughly two-thirds of what stores put at checkout counters are foods and drinks that don’t meet basic health guidelines.
The breakdown of what’s actually at checkouts tells the real story. Candy dominated at 35% of all checkout products, more than one-third of everything you see. Gum made up 14%, salty snacks like chips were 13%, and sugary drinks were 12%. Together, these four unhealthy categories account for 74% of checkout products. In contrast, water made up only 2% of checkout items, and fresh fruits and vegetables were essentially absent at less than 1%.
Differences appeared between store types. Independent grocery stores had the lowest percentage of healthy checkout items. Checkout endcaps (the displays at the ends of checkout aisles) had especially high amounts of sugary drinks. This matters because endcaps are eye-catching and designed to catch your attention.
The study found that different types of stores stocked different products at checkout. Chain supermarkets, drugstores, and mass merchandisers all showed similar patterns of unhealthy dominance, though the exact percentages varied. Stores with staffed checkout lanes (where a cashier works) had slightly different product mixes than self-checkout areas, though both were predominantly unhealthy. The consistency across store types suggests this is an industry-wide pattern, not just a problem at certain stores.
This is one of the first studies to measure checkout healthfulness in Southern California before a healthy checkout policy takes effect. Berkeley passed the first U.S. healthy checkout law in 2015, and Perris became the second city to adopt similar rules. This study provides a baseline, a starting point, to measure whether Perris’s policy actually changes what stores put at checkout. Previous research has shown that checkout displays strongly influence what people buy, especially children, making this a logical place to focus health policies.
The study only looked at products in June 2023, so it doesn’t capture seasonal changes (like more holiday candy in December). It only measured Southern California stores, so results might differ in other regions with different store types or customer preferences. The study didn’t measure how many customers actually bought these products or whether they would buy healthier options if available. It also didn’t track what happened after Perris’s policy was implemented, so we don’t yet know if the policy actually changes store behavior.
The Bottom Line
If you shop at stores with checkout displays, be aware that these areas are designed to encourage impulse purchases of unhealthy foods. Plan ahead by deciding what you’ll buy before you reach the checkout line. Bring your own snacks or water if you know you’ll be tempted. Support stores that offer healthier checkout options. Advocate for healthy checkout policies in your community, as evidence shows these policies can work. Confidence level: Strong evidence supports that checkout displays influence purchases; moderate evidence suggests policies can change store behavior.
Everyone should care about this, but especially parents and caregivers who shop with children. Kids are particularly influenced by checkout displays and are more likely to ask for candy and sugary drinks they see. People trying to eat healthier or manage weight should be aware of these temptation zones. Policymakers and city officials should consider healthy checkout policies as a public health tool. Store managers might use this information to understand current practices and plan for policy compliance.
If a healthy checkout policy is implemented in your area, you might see changes within 3-6 months as stores adjust their displays. Personal behavior change, resisting checkout temptations, can happen immediately once you’re aware of the pattern. Long-term benefits would depend on whether policies are enforced and whether stores genuinely stock healthier alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do stores put so much candy and junk food at checkout?
Stores place unhealthy foods at checkout because people are waiting in line with nothing to do, making them more likely to make impulse purchases. Checkout is the last chance to sell items before customers leave, and candy and sugary drinks are high-profit products that appeal to both adults and children.
Does a healthy checkout policy actually work to reduce junk food sales?
Research shows healthy checkout policies can change what stores stock, though this study measured products before Perris’s policy took effect. Berkeley’s policy, passed in 2015, demonstrated that cities can successfully require healthier checkout displays, but long-term impact on actual purchases needs further study.
What percentage of checkout products are actually healthy?
Only 33% of checkout products met Perris’s nutrition standards in this study of 88 Southern California stores. Using Berkeley’s stricter standards, just 22% qualified as healthy. This means roughly two-thirds of checkout items fail to meet basic nutrition guidelines.
Are there any healthy options at store checkouts?
Healthy options exist but are extremely limited. Water accounted for only 2% of checkout products, and fresh fruits and vegetables were less than 1%. Most stores do stock some healthier items, but they’re vastly outnumbered by candy, gum, salty snacks, and sugary drinks.
Do different types of stores have different checkout products?
Yes, but all store types showed similar patterns of unhealthy dominance. Independent grocery stores had the lowest percentage of healthy items. Checkout endcaps (end-of-aisle displays) contained especially high amounts of sugary drinks across all store types.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track checkout impulse purchases for one week: note every item you buy at checkout and whether it was planned or impulse. Record the category (candy, drink, snack, etc.) and whether it met basic nutrition standards. This creates awareness of your personal checkout spending patterns.
- Set a specific rule before shopping: “I will not buy anything at checkout unless it’s on my list or is water/fruit.” Use the app to log each time you successfully resist a checkout purchase, building a streak. This gamifies healthy decision-making at the point of temptation.
- Weekly checkout spending review: track money spent on checkout impulse purchases versus planned purchases. Monitor which product categories tempt you most. Set a monthly goal to reduce checkout spending by a percentage. Compare your checkout purchases to the study’s findings to see if you’re buying from the unhealthy categories that dominate stores.
This research describes what products stores currently stock at checkouts and does not constitute medical advice. Individual dietary needs vary based on age, health conditions, and personal goals. Consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition guidance. This study was conducted in Southern California and may not reflect checkout products in other regions. The study measured products before Perris’s healthy checkout policy was implemented, so it does not show the policy’s effects on actual store practices or customer purchases.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
