In November 2023, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (UNICEF EAPRO) hosted a webinar on ‘The Role of Retailers in East Asia and the Pacific.’ The event gathered large food retailers, researchers, non-governmental organisations, and representatives of governments in the region to hear and talk about emerging approaches to creating, healthy retail food environments in the East Asia and Pacific region.

This webinar was the culmination of a three-year collaboration between UNICEF and Deakin University researchers Prof. Adrian Cameron, Dr. Tailane Scapin and Sarah Dean. The aim of the collaboration was to increase access to healthier food in urban retail settings and help children realise their right to adequate nutrition.

During the webinar, representatives from large supermarket retailers in Australia (Woolworths), China (7Fresh JD), UK (Sainsbury’s), and the Philippines (Robinsons) talked about their efforts to address nutrition and environmental sustainability and discussed the crucial role of retailers in influencing customers’ overall health.

A summary report on the online session is available, providing an overview of the presentations and topics discussed, key take-aways, and identified actions.