Quote:
Originally Posted by Ignitionnet
Part of the reason the prices are considered insanely high is the loss leading prices the supermarkets charge.
I would hope no-one assumes people who buy alcohol in supermarket are by default rampaging drunks however there is no justification at all for the supermarkets offering alcohol, usually of a moderate-high ABV, in large quantities at loss making prices.
There's a lot of difference between getting a 4 pack or some wine or a bottle of something stronger in and getting trays of cheap slightly flavoured diluted ethanol in to get smashed. A minimum price per unit of alcohol can be arranged to ensure minimal impact on the first while disincentivising the second.
Alcohol is a poison that kills people and costs society immensely in many ways. I'm not a fan of taxation in any shape or form but alcohol is something that should be punitively taxed to ensure a minimum price per unit. The current taxation scheme doesn't cut it.
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Agreed. The problems the pubs have with the supermarkets are the same that a lot of other shops have with the supermarkets. That problem is that the supermarkets know that we are going to need to buy food. As such, they have a guaranteed money maker. The likes of Tesco and Sainsburys also have enough buying power that to a large extent, they can dictate prices that their suppliers charge. Even to the point where those suppliers take a *loss* on each item sold.
These two combine to mean that they can drop prices on other products (such as Alcohol) to below the point where it is profitable for any competitor. This is extremely bad for the economy (unless you seriously think we should all end up working for supermarkets).
I like a drink. I even occassionally buy Alcohol from my local Sainsburys. Usually if I am on the way to a friend's for a barbecue or other party. However, I do have concerns about the cheap availability of Alcohol in supermarkets. Why?
Two reasons. First, supermarkets often aren't as thorough in their checking of underage drinkers (at least around my area).
Second, if you drink too much in a pub and are obviously too drunk, a lot of publicans will ask you to leave. I have seen this happen many times in my various visits to pubs. If you buy a crate of some random strong lager at supermarket, down every single can and pass out in a puddle of your own vomit, no one is going to stop you. There is also the problem of what the long term effects on your body of drinking that amount are.