Sainsbury’s has refused to honour a beer discount deal in Scotland because of multi-buy laws – even though the promoted brew is alcohol-free.
The supermarket giant advertised a 25 per cent reduction on purchases of six or more bottles of a specialist German wheat beer.
But the multi-buy offer for Erdinger Alkoholfrei was not available north of the Border – despite the ale, which has less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), not being classed as alcohol.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of campaigning group Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Neither the legislation around minimum unit pricing nor multi-buy discounts apply here.
“Any product 0.5 per cent ABV and below is not subject to licensing laws in Scotland.
“This sounds like a misunderstanding by the retailer.”
The Sunday Mail spotted the “buy six, save 25 per cent” offer for Erdinger Alkoholfrei on Sainsbury’s website.
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The ale costs £1.20 for 500ml. But when we went to a branch to purchase six bottles, staff explained the reduction was for “England only”.
They claimed this was due to licensing laws in Scotland, which include a ban on multi-buy promotions. When we pointed out that the beer, made in Erding, Bavaria, was alcohol-free, they still refused to budge.
The Scottish Government introduced multi-buy legislation in 2011 – and minimum pricing of 50p per unit in May last year – in a bid to cut alcohol consumption and save lives.
So it’s little wonder that the supermarket’s stance on an alcohol-free option has raised eyebrows.
Douglas added: “Low and no-alcohol products are good alternatives for anyone wanting to avoid alcohol or to cut back on what they are drinking.
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“Any reduction to how much alcohol we are consuming in Scotland is a step in the right direction.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We don’t offer multi-buys in Scotland for any products which contain alcohol and Erdinger Alkoholfrei lager is no exception.
“We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause.”
