ALMR accuses Tesco of 'hypocrisy' over alcohol sales stance

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has accused Tesco of "hypocrisy" in welcoming a ban on below-cost selling of alcohol while continuing to run cheap deals.

Tesco has said it wants to see curbs on the sale of cheap alcohol during this Parliament and recognised that excessive drinking fuelled by cut-price booze was one of the public's most serious concerns.

At the same time, the ALMR said , the supermarket giant is running a promotion offering two packs of beer for £16 - the equivalent of 23 pints at a price of just 67p per pint.

Nick Bish, ALMR's chief executive, said: "Tesco's price promotions are opportunistic, unacceptable and in complete contrast to the highly responsible approach to drinks pricing adopted by Britain's pubs and bars.

"This is probably the most hypocritical offer in the world.

"Effectively they are admitting that they are not responsible enough to regulate their own behaviour and have no option but to compete on price in the absence of government action.

"Whatever happened to "reassuringly expensive"? We hope Tesco will start practising what they preach and adopt a more responsible approach over the summer during this year's World Cup."

A statement from the British Beer & Pub Association said: "Tesco's positive response to the proposals is also a welcome recognition that action is needed to ban certain supermarket promotions that are widely considered to be irresponsible.

"We look forward to working with both our colleagues in the supermarkets and government to develop the necessary practical detail in order to ensure the policy is robust and effective."