Overview
- Published in PLOS Complex Systems, the study analyzed 420 million items bought by 1.6 million Clubcard users at 411 Tesco stores across London in 2015.
- It identified clusters of nutrient‑deficient purchasing in East London—especially Newham, Redbridge, and Barking and Dagenham—and in parts of west London including Ealing and Brent.
- Inner north‑west areas showed the most nutritious purchase patterns, with examples including Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Westminster, alongside healthier pockets in Camden, Islington, Southwark, and Wandsworth.
- Statistical modeling linked sociodemographic factors to these patterns, with region‑specific associations for income, car ownership, and the proportions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic residents.
- The authors urge tailored local policies and point to prior evidence that convenience formats can be about 10% pricier than larger stores, underscoring affordability as a key barrier.