Sligo supermarkets used for survey that focused on the price of alcohol

SLIGO was one of four locations nationally used in an alcohol price survey carried out by Alcohol Action Ireland, which advocates for reducing alcohol harm.

They say that the survey of prices in shops showed that alcohol is so cheap in Ireland that men can drink the weekly low-risk units (17 standard drinks) guideline limit for as little as €7.65 and women (11 units) for €4.95.

Alcohol Action Ireland says “the findings confirm the exceptional affordability of alcohol to every day shoppers and reaffirms the necessity for the commencement of minimum pricing of alcohol products (due to be introduced in January) that will ensure the strongest, cheapest alcohol is eliminated from the market”. The price survey was carried out in Sligo, Dublin city centre and south county and Ashbourne, Co. Meath, between July 12 -28.

The price survey highlighted that cider products remain the cheapest, strongest alcohol products available to the offtrade consumer. Beer products are the second cheapest ahead of wine and spirit products, including gin and whiskey. In Sligo the survey was carried out in Tesco, Dunnes,

Lidl, Aldi, SuperValu, Centra, Londis and Spar.

Among the cheapest prices in Sligo were €3.99 for a 2 litre bottle of cider, €3.99 for a bottle of wine, 12 cans (550mls) of lager for €12, €12.99 for a bottle of vodka, €14.99 for gin and €19.99 for whiskey.

Alcohol Action Ireland says the survey “highlights a sophisticated pricing strategy for alcohol across the Irish off-trade market, which enhances affordability at all levels of retail experience (supermarkets, convenience stores and neighbourhood shops), and the value of the Irish off-trade shared amongst a small number of major retail operators”.

They also say their observations suggest compliance with Section 22 (separation and visibility of alcohol products) of the Public Health Alcohol Act across the retail landscape, “remains uneven and unsatisfactory”.

The survey noted “significant hyper-discounting of beer, while premium spirits continue to press beyond the threshold of the pending minimum pricing regime”.

It shows the Irish consumer can spend as little as 0.45c for a standard drink of cider, 0.46c for a standard drink of beer and 0.56c for a standard drink of wine.

The introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol products will ensure that a standard drink of any alcohol product, cannot be purchased in Ireland for less than €1.

Eunan McKinney, Head of Communications at Alcohol Action Ireland, said: “The affordability of alcohol from off-trade businesses, across a retail landscape dominated by a handful of major players, continues to sustain Ireland’s harmful use of alcohol. “Whether drinkers are seeking the greatest purchasing power in discount supermarkets from Thurles to Terenure, or convenient stores from Waterville to Walkinstown, our survey highlights that exceptionally affordable alcohol is ever-present in every community across Ireland.

“With a minimum pricing regime to be introduced for 2022, it is evident that the alcohol producers and retailers are already shifting their marketing strategies to ensure retention of key price points. What this may result in is lesser multi-unit packs and perhaps a greater prevalence of smaller volume units such as 440ml cans or 500ml spirits products.”