Grogan: let us fight supermarket booze prices

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman John Grogan has called on more brewers and pub companies to join the fight against rock-bottom supermarket beer prices.

Grogan believes the big chains are finally on the defensive as criticism of their "loss-leader"​ discount policies grows.

His comments follow Scottish & Newcastle's recent highlighting of store prices which sees a unit-alcohol price of

30 pence in supermarkets compared to an average pub rate of £1.02.

Grogan believes the four big players Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are already sweating it out in fear of the current Competition Commission inquiry.

For the first time, brewers and have joined pub companies, farmers, small shops and environmentalists in making critical submissions to the Commission​All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman John Grogan.

"For the first time, brewers and have joined pub companies, farmers, small shops and environmentalists in making critical submissions to the Commission." ​he said.

"They are united in the complaint that supermarkets are abusing their power at some social and economic cost."​

He compared supermarket beer promotions to the notorious £10 nightclub entry "drink-for-free" deals.

"But while on-trade operators have signed up to a robust code outlawing irresponsible promotion, the latter (supermarkets) refuse to confront the issue,"​ he said.

Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne, who carries out an annual survey of supermarket Christmas prices, said festive deals were already being advertised.

"It seems to have started earlier this year and the discounts will increase as Christmas approaches.​

"The big stores are effectively showing two fingers to the whole concept of responsible retailing," he said.

If you are a registered user​ please click on the 'Post a new comment' link below to talk about this story and others in our discussion forums.​

If you are not a registered user, click on the same button and follow the links to register for free.