Supermarkets Selling Beer At The Same Cost Of Water

Tue, 09 Jan 2007
 
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The UK’s Supermarkets have been labeled reckless for reducing the price of lager to the same cost as bottled water .

Fosters and Carling, two leading lager brands, have been found on store shelves for the equivalent of 54p per pint, compared with 49p for the average price of bottled water .

The beer promotions were found at Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, where Christmas deals were retailing the lagers at 24 cans for £9.99.

MPs, campaigners and the pub industry have all said supermarkets are fuelling ‘binge drinking’ in their campaign to win over customers .

The Campaign for Real Ale, Camra, is also calling on supermarkets to stop ‘irresponsible’ alcohol promotions.

Chief Executive for Camra, Mike Benner said, "The ridiculous practice of the major supermarkets selling below cost for alcohol to out price each other is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous."

"To put it in perspective some bottled water in the supermarket costs 49p a pint and water is not subject to excise duty as alcohol is," he added.

MP John Grogan, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, had tabled an Early Day Motion urging supermarkets and off-licenses to end their cheap promotions.

He said, "Supermarkets are abusing their power at some considerable social and economic cost."

Morrison's has been selling Grolsch at £16 for 40x300ml bottles, which is the equivalent of 76p a pint. Other reported deals were at Tesco, where Budweiser was selling at £9.98 for 20x300ml bottles (95p a pint).

Sussex Police have also criticised Tesco for selling alcohol to under-18s on numerous occasions.

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