- The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has cited responsible sale of alcohol and free proof of age cards as its top priorities for this year’s Scottish elections, calling on politicians to change attitudes and protect retail staff. The SGF Retail Manifesto 2007 – which sets out the demands of Scotland’s 6,000 convenience retailers – calls for MSPs to tackle spiralling retail crime, protect town centres and promote healthy eating.
SGF chief executive officer John Drummond said: “Despite these threats to the future of convenience retailing, policing the sale of alcohol and other age restricted products is the number one threat to our business. Tackling Scotland’s attitudes towards carrying ID and improving access to proof of age for youngsters will remove many conflict situations from Scottish convenience stores and support retailers. “Incidents of threats, violence, racism and abuse are all too common when some customers are challenged about their age. Often the worst incidents occur when people of legal age take offence at a request for ID. Staff need and deserve the protection that a comprehensive proof of age scheme will provide. It is time to bring balance to the legislative burden placed on retailers. Industry initiatives can only go so far, Government leadership is crucial.” The Scottish Parliamentary and local Government elections are held on May 3. The SGF is calling for: - A compulsory proof of age card to be free to all 15- to 25-year-olds in Scotland
- Strict targets to achieve 100 per cent coverage of all eligible young people by 2009, when the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 comes into force
- A public awareness campaign to encourage consumers to carry ID, to reduce the incidents of threats, violence and abuse when shoppers are asked to prove their age Retail Week Online
- Major UK supermarket Marks & Spencer is predicting a drop in consumer interest in higher-alcohol wines – and will source more wines 'at 12% rather than 14% alcohol'. Predicting changes in future wine consumption patterns, M&S says it fears that in recent years the balance has tipped too far towards wines that are dominated by high alcohol. The supermarket's wine technologist Sue Daniels told decanter.com, 'High alcohol wines have had their day. We will be trying to source more wines at 12% alcohol, rather than 14% in the future.'
The company is also looking at offering wines that are sulphite-free and without unnecessary additives, for allergy sufferers. Alcohol levels in wine have risen markedly in recent years. The increases are due to a number of factors, including improved techniques in viticulture, rising average temperatures and consumer preferences for riper, easy-drinking styles. According to lobby group Alcohol in Moderation (AIM), the average level of alcohol in Australian red wine rose from 12.4% in 1984 to 14% in 2004. In California reds, average alcohol reached a record 14.8% in 2001, compared to 12.5% in the late 1970s. Finding ways to limit excessive alcohol in wines while retaining flavour is becoming a major challenge to many wine producers. David Gregory, head of technology at M&S, said, 'We are trying to anticipate tomorrow's problems. People want to drink responsibly.' The move come as M&S undertakes a wholesale reorganisation of its business via 'Plan A', announced by CEO Stuart Rose last month. This is a 100-point plan to reduce the retailer's 'carbon footprint' and to become 'a leading retailer in ethical trading'. decanter.com Contributor: Libby Ranzetta Alcohol Policy UK
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Alcohol industry news for 13.2.07
