Small retailers singled out under new liquor plans

Small retailers singled out under new liquor plans [Association of Community Retailers]
Media Release
26 August 2010

Dairies and convenience stores, especially those in rural areas, are being unfairly singled out in proposed liquor law changes announced by the government.

Family-owned dairies or convenience stores will be unlikely to secure liquor licences to sell small quantities of wine or beer if current proposals from government are pushed through without changes.

The Association of Community Retailers (ACR) said today that almost all of the changes proposed by the Government are sensible and would receive widespread support from the majority of retailers.

However, a proposal to ban dairies and convenience stores from selling what are small quantities of beer and wine will affect the income of many shop owners unnecessarily. The proposed changes come on the back of tobacco display proposals that will also financially hurt retailers and which do not have widespread support.

“Selling small quantities of alcohol is not the main purpose of our business; we sell it as a convenience for our customers. Punishing small retailers is not going to resolve binge drinking problems,” says Ash Darji, spokesperson for the ACR and the New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc.

The Regulatory Impact Statement: Alcohol Law Reform prepared by the Government also stated there was little evidence that smaller outlets contributed to New Zealand’s binge culture. The RIS recognised that restricting dairies and convenience stores from obtaining an off-licence may result in over 100 existing stores becoming “unviable”.

“We welcome the government’s overall proposals, but cannot support banning dairies and convenience stores from selling alcohol altogether,” says Dipal Desai from Hinds, South Canterbury. “People who come to my store will buy a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer, not buy large amounts of alcohol. We do this for convenience, and the proposals if they go through will impact rural retailers.”

The ACR will provide a submission to the Governments proposals.

ENDS