Wal-Mart to move protein bars into grocery department

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it is expanding the selection of protein bars like Clif, Kind, and Special K, and moving these fitness foods out of the pharmacy area into the main grocery aisles beginning in January.

Michelle Gloeckler, executive vice president of health & wellness and consumables at Walmart U.S., said that customers would be able to find an expanded selection of the best selling fitness protein bars on the aisles where granola and other breakfast bars are found. She said the retailer is giving these products more shelf space which should help with out-of-stocks in the most popular selling items.

She said more consumers are buying these items weekly and having them located in the grocery aisle makes more sense that stocking them in the over-the-Counter section of the pharmacy area.

The move comes as the world's largest retailer, like many other rivals, is going on a health kick aimed at its customers. Target Corp. announced last month that it was pushing granola bars and health grab-and-go snacks over candy at the checkout aisles in 30 of its stores.

Gloeckler said if customers continue to buy these products at record numbers the retailer will also look at placing them near the checkout areas in its stores.