Plans to restrict the display of beers, wines and spirits in stores in Scotland are “unworkable” and could threaten the survival of independent retailers, the Scottish government was warned yesterday.
As part of moves to reduce problematic drinking, the government in Scotland is consulting on measures to restrict the advertising of beers, wines and spirits.
In small shops, alcohol would have to be displayed out of sight, while larger stores would be forced to keep products containing alcohol away from entrances, exits and checkouts.
At a meeting yesterday to gauge the reaction of retailers to the scheme, Ferhan Ashiq, the past Scottish president of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), warned that it threatened the survival of independent retailers.
“With the high costs we are facing, retailers don’t have the mental or financial capacity to deal with any further legislation. We are tapped out. Some of our members may not even survive this year,” he said.
Ashiq, who runs a shop in East Lothian, added: “It feels like independent retailers are public enemy number one to the Scottish government. We face an onslaught of legislation, whether it is DRS, MUP, the banning of disposable vapes, the restrictions on high fat, sugar and salt foods (HFSS).
“Independent retailers believe that the government should be tackling the issue of problem drinking through better health education and cultural change, not by penalising retailers who are trying to earn a living and providing a living for the people who work for us.
“Alcohol in itself isn’t harmful when taken in moderation. It is only large quantities that are the problem.
“With a great many Fed members running stores in socially and economically deprived areas, we will definitely feel the results of any legislation.”
Following the meeting, the Fed’s Scottish president Aleem Farooqi dismissed the proposals as “simplistic, unworkable and another massive threat to the livelihoods of independent retailers.”
A the end of last year, the Scottish Government launched a consultation on proposals that would see many forms of alcohol marketing restricted. These include bans on outdoor billboards and the phasing out of sports sponsorship in Scotland. Retailers would also face restrictions on the promotion of alcohol in-store under plans aimed at reducing “the appeal of alcohol to young people” and cutting overall consumption.
The public consultation is running until 9 March 2023.
NAM Implications:
- ‘alcohol would have to be displayed out of sight’
- A contradiction in terms? (def: put (something) in a prominent place in order that it may readily be seen)
- Probably makes sense to politicians, but a death knell for struggling retailers.
- Suppliers need to trim their expectations accordingly…
