Supermarkets: we're not destroying pubs

The UK's biggest supermarkets told MPs that off trade alcohol promotions were not responsible for "destroying traditional pubs".

Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose bosses also told MPs at last week's Health Committee meeting that a minimum price for alcohol would be a "blunt tool" which would not address binge drinking. 

Asda's corporate director Paul Kelly said he had "a lot of sympathy for landlords" struggling in the current climate, but added: "I don't think you can say it's all the fault of supermarkets. There are a lot more complex factors going on."

He cited higher costs for doing business, the smoking ban, drift away from town centres and the draw of home entertainment.  

None of the three supermarkets was in favour of minimum pricing. Head of alcohol buying at Waitrose, Giles Fisher, said: "We're not calling for the introduction of a minimum price because we don't think that's the most effective way to deal with harmful drinking".

He added that harmful drinking was culturally led, adding that a better solution was education. 

Kelly said he was "very worried" that minimum pricing was a "very blunt tool", which would impact most heavily on low income families who look for cheaper deals.

Grant agreed, saying minimum pricing was, "an un-targeted measure that will be penalising people on quite low or fixed incomes at a time of economic hardship".

Labour MP Kevin Barron, Health Committee chair, said he could not enter a supermarket in his constituency without "tripping over" drinks promotions such as "three for two" offers. But Grant said alcohol discounting was "a product of a fiercely competitive market".