Retailers: New pricing rules unfair on most customers
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has hit out at the Government's plans to set a minimum price per unit on the cost of alcohol.
Andrew Opie, Food Director at the BRC said the new measures will not address the causes of irresponsible drinking, and will set a "dangerous precedent for Government interference in markets in the future."
Most major retailers believe minimum pricing and controls on promotions are unfair to most customers. They simply penalise the vast majority, who are perfectly responsible drinkers, while doing nothing to reduce irresponsible drinking.
Most people already drink less than recommended limits. There is no reason why they should be denied access to discounts. The Government should recognise the role of personal responsibility. It should not allow interfering in the market to regulate prices and promotions to become the default approach for public health policy.
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