Benchmarking for continuous improvement in food retail environments: a systematic scoping review

Benchmarking, closely related to audit and feedback processes, is an implementation strategy that continuously measures performance against defined functions and metrics and implements change accordingly. Benchmarking is increasingly being applied in public health nutrition to improve food environments for health. However, the process and mechanisms by which benchmarking interventions can drive continuous improvement in food retail settings is not well understood. We performed a systematic scoping review to identify existing food retail benchmarking initiatives, compare against an evidence-informed six-step benchmarking approach, and explore qualitative insights including underlying theories and enablers of benchmarking methodologies from existing research. We searched five databases for studies published up to 2024, using search terms related to food retail settings and benchmarking. Analysis of 46 papers found that all studies identified functions and metrics to benchmark against, while only one paper incorporated benchmarking as part of a continuous improvement cycle with repeated assessments. Approximately one-third of studies developed recommendations for retailers, with only eight studies describing feedback of results to retailers. Included studies originated from the fields of retail management (67%), public health nutrition (24%), environmental sustainability (7%) and one from the field of consumer affairs. Very few studies articulated a theory of change or logic model for their interventions. Enablers of effective benchmarking articulated within studies were found to be engagement from food retailers, access to food retail data, flexible and adaptable benchmarking tools and strategic communication of findings to retailers. Our findings suggest significant opportunities to strengthen benchmarking in the food retail setting as part of continuous improvement with greater emphasis on integrating theory as well as effective communication of feedback to retailers. This evidence can inform public health approaches to transform food retail environments for improved population nutrition. Not available.