Impact of altering the availability of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks on selection and purchasing

INTERVENTION: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions in an experiment with a between‐subjects factor of drink subset availability (i. 75% non‐alcoholic, 25% alcoholic ii. 50% non‐alcoholic, 50% alcoholic iii. 25% non‐alcoholic, 75% alcoholic), in which the relative proportion (%) of alcohol‐free beer, cider and wine and soft drinks will vary, compared to alcoholic beer, cider and wine options. Selection Participants will be randomised to one of three drink subset availability conditions within the online Qualtrics platform. Participants will view: i. a range of beers, ciders and soft drinks, and ii. a range of wines and soft drinks. These two drink ranges will each show 32 drink options. The order in which the two drink ranges (beer, cider and soft drinks first or wine and soft drinks first) are presented will be randomised. In each range, the drink options within the three sub‐categories (i.e., i. beer and cider, alcohol‐free beer and alcohol‐free cider, or soft drinks, ii. wine, alcohol‐free wine, or soft drinks) will be presented together under their respective headings but their order of presentation will be randomised. The relative availability (proportion) of non‐alcoholic (alcohol‐free beer, cider or wine alternatives and soft drinks) and alcoholic (beer, cider or wine) drink options – and therefore alcohol units – will vary according to the three conditions. Alcohol‐free beer, cider and wine will be clearly labelled to ensure that they are not confused with alcoholic drinks. Each drink option presented will be a different brand, i.e., as the relative availability of non‐alcoholic drink options increases, there will be a larger choice of brands from which to choose. Drink images will all be shown as b CONDITION: Excess alcohol consumption ; Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: Number of alcohol units selected (with an intention to purchase). Participants will be aware that they will be required to purchase the drink items chosen in the selection task and send proof of this to the research team. Therefore, the primary outcome of selection will be made in the context of intention to purchase and provide evidence of this behaviour. This is measured immediately, i.e. whilst participants are exposed to the availability intervention, and calculated from the selection task data SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Number of alcoholic drinks selected, measured immediately, i.e. whilst participants are exposed to the availability intervention, and calculated from the selection task data; 2. Number of non‐alcoholic drinks selected, measured immediately, i.e. whilst participants are exposed to the availability intervention, and calculated from the selection task data; 3. Total number of drinks selected, measured immediately, i.e. whilst participants are exposed to the availability intervention, and calculated from the selection task data; 4. Proportion of total drinks selected that are alcoholic, measured immediately, i.e. whilst participants are exposed to the availability intervention, and calculated by dividing the number of alcoholic drinks selected by the total number of drinks; 5. Number of alcohol units purchased, measured immediately after the selection task and calculated from the purchasing data (i.e. from proof of purchase); 6. Number of alcoholic drinks purchased, measured immediately after the selection task and calculated from the purchasing data (i.e. from proof of purchase); 7. Number of non‐alcoholic drinks purchased, measured immediately after the selection task and calculated from the purchasing data (i.e. from proof of purchase); 8. Total number of drinks purchased, measured immediately after the selection task and calculated from the purchasing data (i.e. from proof of purchase); 9. Proportion of total drinks purchased that are alcoholic, measured immediately after the selection task and calculated by dividing the number of alcoholic drinks purchased by the total number of drinks; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Aged 18 years or over; 2. Current Tesco online customer 3. Regularly consume alcohol – beer, cider and/or wine (i.e., at least once a week) 4. Regularly purchase alcohol – beer, cider and/or wine – online at Tesco (i.e., at least once a month, minimum £20 monthly spend on these drinks) 5. Willing to select drinks from 64 options, shown in an online task, to purchase in next online shop at Tesco (Note: Options will include different brands of beer, cider, wine, alcohol‐free beer, alcohol‐free cider, alcohol‐free wine and soft drinks available at Tesco; no additional drinks from these categories should be added to the Tesco shop) 6. Willing to complete online shop at Tesco, book a delivery (or Click and Collect) slot, and send the details to the research team within 48 hours of the drink selection task 7. Willing t