Assessing Reliability and Validity of the GroPromo Audit Tool for Evaluation of Grocery Store Marketing and Promotional Environments

Objective To evaluate reliability and validity of a new tool for assessing the placement and promotional environment in grocery stores. Methods Trained observers used the GroPromo instrument in 40 stores to code the placement of 7 products in 9 locations within a store, along with other promotional characteristics. To test construct validity, customers' receipts were coded for percentage of food purchases in each of the categories. Results Of the 22 categories tested, 21 demonstrated moderate to high interrater reliability (intraclass correlation ≥ 0.61). When more unhealthy items were placed in prominent locations, a higher percentage of money was spent on less-healthy items, and a lower percentage of food dollars were spent on fruits and vegetables. The prominence of locations was more important than the number of locations. Conclusions and Implications The GroPromo tool can be used to assess promotional practices in stores. Data may help advocates campaign for more healthy food items in key promotional locations.