General news - Supermarkets Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

Survey: staying in is the new going out

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:36:00 GMT

Younger drinkers continued to move away form the on-trade in 2010 and increasingly look to replicate attitudes towards spending at home.

Foster's Gold for off-trade only

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:09:00 GMT

A new more premium version of Aussie lager Foster's is being launched – but it won't be found in pubs and bars.

Tesco: error led to 36 cans of beer for £11 deal

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Tesco has claimed an error led to it selling 36 cans of beer for £11 — police had to be called to control crowds at a store in Scotland.

Trade: ‘be tougher on supermarkets’

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:02:00 GMT

Trade leaders and licensees have urged the Government to take more robust action over the failure of supermarkets to curb promos.

Lansley warns supermarkets on alcohol promos

Tue, 31 May 2011 09:45:00 GMT

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has written to supermarket giants over a failure to remove alcohol promotions from entrances.

SNP prepares for minimum pricing

Thu, 19 May 2011 10:58:00 GMT

A minimum pricing law could be introduced in Scotland as early as April next year, following the landslide victory of the Scottish National Party.

Pub industry can learn from supermarkets

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:35:00 GMT

Pubs should steal the five principles supermarkets use to help drive their sales, according to research company him!.

Magners on the up in the UK

Wed, 18 May 2011 07:26:00 GMT

C&C Group has reported an increase in pre-tax profits on the back of a 3.6% volume growth of Magners in The UK.

Underage alcohol sales come under the spotlight

Tue, 10 May 2011 07:01:00 GMT

Proposals to double the fine for persistently selling alcohol to children to £20,000 are likely to have little impact, says Baroness Coussins.

Fewer sting ops for pubs that self-test

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:40:00 GMT

Pubs that carry out their own underage test-purchase operations are set to be subjected to fewer sting operations.

Serve Legal to address Euro conference on underage drinking

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:07:00 GMT

Test purchasing company Serve Legal is to address a major European conference on tackling underage drinking today.

Scottish MPs clash on minimum pricing

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:47:00 GMT

Scottish politicians have clashed once again about introducing a minimum price on alcohol — on the Politics Show.

Top cop urges tough action on underage sales

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:14:00 GMT

High-profile ex-policeman Brian Paddick has labelled enforcement of underage alcohol sales “laughable”.

Tim Martin: pubs are the whipping boys

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:49:00 GMT

JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has accused the Government of driving drinkers out of pubs.

SNP vows to revive minimum pricing

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:16:00 GMT

The Scottish National Party has vowed to revive its failed campaign to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.

Health groups walk away from Responsibility Deal

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:20:00 GMT

Leading health organisations have criticised the Government over its "responsibility deal" on alcohol and refused to sign up as partners.

Pubs urged to make responsibility pledges

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:03:00 GMT

Pub operators have been asked to make three specific commitments on responsible retailing — including providing alcohol unit information.

GMB: pubco rents give supermarkets the edge

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The GMB union has launched a fresh attack on rents charged by pub companies, which it blames for hastening a decline in sales at pubs.

Police seize illicit alcohol from Lancashire stores

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:36:00 GMT

Over 1,000 litres of illegally imported beer and spirits were seized during a crack down on Lancashire off-licences.

Northern Ireland pushes for minimum price

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:23:00 GMT

Ministers in Northern Ireland are pushing for the introduction of a minimum price on alcohol of between 40p and 70p a unit.

Health experts repeat minimum price calls

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:40:00 GMT

Health experts have once again called for a minimum price of 50p per unit on alcohol as they warned there could be a sharp rise in deaths.

'Alcohol Responsibility Deal close to collapse'

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:36:00 GMT

Health lobbyists are said to be close to walking away from the Government’s Responsibility Deal on alcohol, according to reports.

Win a year's supply of drink offer cleared by ASA

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:45:00 GMT

An advert offering students the chance to win a year’s supply of drink from off-licence Bargain Booze in Crewe has been cleared of being irresponsible.

CAMRA to lobby for lower duty on 3.5% beers

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:15:00 GMT

CAMRA hopes to work with the Government to secure a change in EU rules to allow a lower duty rate on beers below 3.5% abv.

Pub fails with Tesco objection

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:02:00 GMT

A licensee has had his objection to a local Tesco’s application to increase its licensing hours disregarded as “not relevant”.

Impose higher tax on spirits, advisor tells MPs

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:16:00 GMT

A tax on alcohol should be applied in accordance with its strength to crackdown on preloading, an alcohol advisor told MPs.

Stores’ drink way above duty + VAT

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:02:00 GMT

Average prices of drinks sold in major supermarkets are up to four times greater than “cost price” as defined by the Government.

Scottish Parliament to discuss 'supermarket tax'

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:01:00 GMT

Members of the Scottish Parliament will today hear evidence on proposals for a large retailer levy.

Seminars to consider test purchase problems

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:59:00 GMT

A series of seminars will be held at the end of March to discuss a solution to test purchasing and the control of age-restricted products.

SIBA chief: drop VAT to help pubs

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:01:00 GMT

A brewers’ trade group has urged the Government to halve VAT for the hospitality industry as a positive way to rejuvenate the sector.

Concern over duty rises to set minimum price

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:51:00 GMT

Concerns have been raised that the Government will use duty rises as a way of setting a minimum price for alcohol.

Supermarkets could still sell beer for 38p

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:08:00 GMT

Supermarkets could still sell cans of lager for 38p and litre bottles of vodka for £10.71 under its plan to ban "below-cost" alcohol sales.

Booker to stay open over Christmas

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:17:00 GMT

Food and drink wholesaler Booker plans to stay open throughout the Christmas period, including Boxing day and both bank holidays.

Kent off-licences revoked over duty fraud

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:33:00 GMT

Two off-licences have had their licences revoked and five others suspended in Thanet, Kent over duty fraud.

MPs: stop sale of cheap supermarket booze

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:49:00 GMT

MPs from all three main parties have called for action on cheap alcohol sold through supermarkets.

'Tax too blunt to deal with binge drinkers'

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:54:00 GMT

Minimum price advocate Greene King has stressed that using tax to increase supermarket prices is a “blunt instrument” and inherently “risky”.

Mulholland quizzes minister on below-cost sales

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:21:00 GMT

Greg Mulholland has written to Home Office minister James Brokenshire asking how the Government plans to ban below-cost alcohol sales.

Government explains off-trade inaction

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:41:00 GMT

Concerns over price fixing, commercial confidentiality and enforcement led to the below-cost ban on alcohol being dropped from the new Bill.

FLVA calls for quick resolution on cheap booze

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:39:00 GMT

The FLVA has called for a quick resolution to the issue of below cost sales of alcohol in the off-trade.

Supermarket deals damaging alcohol brand building

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:33:00 GMT

Cheap supermarket deals on alcohol are damaging to alcohol brand building and are reducing the value of Christmas to the alcohol industry.

Government fails to address below cost ban

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:22:00 GMT

The below cost ban on alcohol has been excluded from the Social Responsibility and Policing Bill.

Booze pricing not on talks agenda

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:32:00 GMT

Alcohol pricing is not up for discussion in talks between the trade and Government to thrash out a “Responsibility Deal” with the industry.

Top cop: minimum pricing needed to curb off-trade deals

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:07:00 GMT

One of Britain's top cops has backed calls for a minimum price on alcohol to bring an end to cut price deals in the off-trade.

‘Off-trade to eat up beer sales by 2018’

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:37:00 GMT

The off-trade is set to account for 70% of beer sales by 2018, according to Molson Coors chief executive Mark Hunter.

Tesco: discounting not needed at Xmas but we'll do it

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:57:00 GMT

Tesco is to slash the price of spirits in the run-up to Christmas — despite admitting it is not necessary and is financially damaging.

Stats on 24-hour pubs are 'misleading'

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:50:00 GMT

New figures showing a rise in the number of pubs and clubs with 24-hour licences has been labeled misleading by one trade chief.

MSPs reject pub promos ban but fears remain

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:21:00 GMT

MSPs have rejected new restrictions on pub drinks promotions in Scotland but paved the way for the controversial social responsibility fee.

Backing for bylaw minimum pricing

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:20:00 GMT

The plan to use local bylaws to set a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per unit is gaining momentum among councils.

Below cost ban on alcohol by May 2012

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:36:00 GMT

A ban on the below cost sale of alcohol could come into effect by May 2012, the Government has said.

SNP urges support for minimum price

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:35:00 GMT

The Scottish National Party has called on opposition parties to vote for minimum pricing when it reaches Parliament this week.

'Licensing reforms must protect well run pubs'

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:24:00 GMT

The proposed licensing reforms don't differentiate between problem pubs and well run community pubs — trade groups tell Home Office.

Underage drinking costs NHS £19m a year

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:14:00 GMT

Underage drinking, fuelled by the "ludicrously cheap price of alcohol" in supermarkets, is costing the National Health Service £19m a year.

Serve Legal: consistent approach needed on underage sales

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:33:00 GMT

Test purchase company has urged the Government to champion a clearer and more consistent approach to tackling underage sales.

Ed Miliband backs pubs against supermarkets

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:37:00 GMT

New Labour leader Ed Miliband has backed action against cut-price alcohol sold in supermarkets.

Off-trade set for minimum price windfall

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:36:00 GMT

Supermarkets, such as Tesco and Asda, would net an extra £700m if a minimum price of 45p a unit was introduced across the UK.

SNP slates Labour and Tories over minimum pricing

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:11:00 GMT

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has slammed the "unholy alliance" of Labour and Tories for scuppering minimum pricing in Scotland.

Update: Scottish minimum price defeated

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:47:00 GMT

The Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a minimum price on alcoholic drinks has been defeated at Holyrood today.

70% of young people start a night out at home

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:18:00 GMT

The majority of young drinkers begin a night out by having three or more drinks at home, new research has revealed

GMB: pubcos to blame for falling drink sales

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:14:00 GMT

Pubs are on a “life support machine” because they are selling 25% less drinks now than in 2002 — and the GMB is blaming pubco rents.

Minimum pricing likely via bylaws

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:36:00 GMT

Home Office minister James Brokenshire has given the clearest indication yet that councils could get powers to impose minimum pricing.

Lib Dem MP: restrict pub and shop opening hours

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:52:00 GMT

A Lib Dem MP has called for the Government to restrict opening hours of pubs, clubs and shops and introduce a ban on below cost sales of alcohol.

Scots to give health boards licensing role

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:23:00 GMT

Health Boards are to be given new powers to object to licence applications in Scotland under an amendment to the Alcohol Bill.

WSTA: duty plus VAT is right definition of below cost

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:14:00 GMT

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association has told the Government the only sensible definition of below cost is duty plus VAT.

ALMR 'dismayed' over lack of supermarket action

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:04:00 GMT

Trade body is “extremely dismayed” that the planned licensing overhaul fails to fully recognise the effect of cheap supermarket booze on disorder.

Kids exploit online loophole to buy booze

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:42:00 GMT

Teenagers are deliberately targeting supermarket online delivery services to get their hands on alcohol.

Molson Coors: Diageo plans undermine responsible drinking

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:03:00 GMT

The furore over Diageo's controversial plea for the duty escalator to remain in place for all products except spirits continues apace.

Critics slam 45p minimum price in Scotland

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A Scottish pub trade leader has hit out at the 45p a unit minimum price plan fearing it will damage the sector.

Call for fairer approach to underage stings

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:36:00 GMT

A powerful alliance of different industries has called for a fairer and more consistent approach by authorities for tackling underage sales.

Biggest fall in drinking for 60 years

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:22:00 GMT

The UK saw the biggest fall in alcohol consumption in 60 years, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

Scots want minimum price of 45p/unit

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:45:00 GMT

The Scottish Government has proposed setting a minimum price of 45p per unit, claiming it will mean 50 fewer deaths in the first year.

Bid to stop cheap supermarket alcohol fails

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:43:00 GMT

Another bid to stop cheap supermarket alcohol in Scotland by arguing that the deals break licensing laws has failed.

Scottish Labour suggests 'floor price' for alcohol

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:02:00 GMT

The Government should set a UK-wide “floor price” for alcohol based on the cost of production, duty and VAT rather than a minimum price.

'Labour should apologise for pub closures'

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:56:00 GMT

A Government minister has called for Labour to apologise for the net closure of 3,500 pubs in England during its reign.

Diageo's on-trade decline tempered by Guinness

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:04:00 GMT

Diageo has revealed a 9% increase in UK volumes and a 5% rise in sales — but a decline in on-trade volumes despite the stabalisation of pub closures.

New Zealand plans U-20 off-trade alcohol ban

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:23:00 GMT

Under-20s in New Zealand could be banned from buying alcohol from supermarkets and shops under new Government plans.

Trade holds 'positive' talks on alcohol tax

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:19:00 GMT

Trade leaders held a "positive" meeting with the Treasury and Home Office on alcohol taxation last week.

Portsmouth pubs asked to sponsor kids on alcohol course

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:45:00 GMT

Portsmouth licensees are being asked to give £50 to sponsor a child to complete an alcohol awareness award.

County Durham urges Challenge-25 take-up

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:51:00 GMT

Pubs and shops in County Durham have been urged to adopt a Challenge-25 policy by the council.

Northern Ireland wants promotions ban

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:16:00 GMT

Northern Ireland plans to ban "irresponsible" drinks deals in pubs and shops as a prelude to introducing minimum pricing.

BII north east backs minimum pricing push

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:57:00 GMT

The BII's north eastern division has joined up with a regional health body to campaign for minimum pricing — 90% of local licensees back the move.

Cameron may let councils ban cheap booze

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:49:00 GMT

David Cameron has hinted that he may let councils set their own minimum price on alcohol as part of his "localism" agenda.

Newquay hails successful underage drink crackdown

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:17:00 GMT

More than 1,000 cans and bottles have been confiscated from underage drinkers in Newquay this summer.

Alcohol Concern: minimum price is the only way

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:54:00 GMT

The duty on cider would need to increase by 660% if a ban on below-cost sales is to achieve the same effect as a minimum price of 50p per unit.

Scots could trial minimum price

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:33:00 GMT

A controversial minimum price on alcohol scheme could be run in Scotland on a trial basis, the health secretary said.

Greater Manchester wants minimum price of 50p

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:08:00 GMT

Council chiefs in Greater Manchester have set a proposed timetable for adopting a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol.

Diageo backs licensing overhaul

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:40:00 GMT

Drinks giant Diageo has backed the Government's tough plans for licensing — saying they are better than a ban on below-cost alcohol sales.

ALMR: review is top down stick bashing of pubs

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:13:00 GMT

One trade group has blasted the proposed licensing changes as top down stick bashing of pubs.

Part of mandatory alcohol code set to be ‘axed’

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:36:00 GMT

The second part of the controversial mandatory alcohol retailing code is set to be scrapped — but the pay off will be new late night levy.

Trade fears over licence fee hike and people power

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:14:00 GMT

The trade has expressed fears over the size of any proposed hike in licence costs and being the target once again of Government action.

Public health added to licensing shake-up

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:22:00 GMT

Local authorities will be able to object to a licence on the grounds of public health under a major shake-up of licensing laws.

Trade encouraged by Asda 'below cost' ban

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:16:00 GMT

Asda’s move to ban below cost sales of alcohol is encouraging but there is still a long way to go, according to trade figures.

Oldham wants Challenge 25 for pubs

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:54:00 GMT

Oldham Council is "encouraging" pubs, clubs and shops to operate the Challenge 25 age-check policy.

Government promises consistency in licensing

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:17:00 GMT

Moving control of licensing to the Home Office will mean a "more consistent approach" to the issue is taken, according to a Government minister.

Six nightclubs a week closing

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:51:00 GMT

Six nightclubs a week are closing with competition from pubs open later and cheap supermarket alcohol.

ALMR urges action on supermarket alcohol

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:23:00 GMT

The Government needs to tackle cheap supermarket alcohol if it is serious about achieving further declines in alcohol-related crime.

Devizes MP to champion pub and beer sector

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:30:00 GMT

Pubs are a fine British institution and we must do all we can to help them flourish — that’s the view of a new Tory MP Claire Perry.

Freetrade pubs join pricing scheme

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:03:00 GMT

More than 500 freehold and free-of-tie pubs are trialling a scheme through cash and carry giant Booker on cheap drinks.

WSTA hits out over pub trade proposals

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:52:00 GMT

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association has hit back at on-trade proposals to create a level playing field with the supermarkets.

Trade demands action on supermarkets

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:44:00 GMT

The Government must re-balance the tax and regulatory system to create a level playing field, says BBPA.

Four price options to curb below cost sales

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:37:00 GMT

The Government has put forward four options to ban below-cost selling of alcohol and is planning to take the proposals to a public consultation.