One-in-10 stores in breach of drink code

One in 10 supermarkets and grocery stores are failing to comply with the industry’s own code on the display and sale of alcohol products.

An audit of 400 stores across the country found that 10% of outlets were in breach of a voluntary code that was implemented as an alternative to legislation that would place extra restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

However, the Responsible Retailing of Alcohol (RRAI) in Ireland group said the latest results were an improvement on the 2014 findings, and represented an annual increase of almost four percentage points.

The group — which represents the overwhelming majority of mixed-trade retailers in the Republic — has more than 2,600 members including supermarkets, convenience stores, service stations, newsagents, and grocery stores.

The seventh annual report of RRAI showed there was a high level of compliance with the Code of Practice on the Display and Sale of Alcohol Products in Mixed Trading Premises among the large supermarket chains which include Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi, Marks & Spencer, and Musgraves. Just under 5% of such stores were in breach of the code.

Lidl and Aldi, as well as Marks & Spencer and Fresh all obtained a 100% compliance rate.

The convenience store sector, where the RRAI accepts management control can be less direct, had a higher failure rate with over 14% of stores audited found to be in breach of the code.

However, RRAI’s independent chairperson, Padraic White, said the compliance rate for the sector had still shown a six-point percentage improvement over last year’s results.

Within the sector, Applegreen and XL were fully compliant, while Centra stores were in breach of the code in just over 7% of cases.

The group was established as an alternative to the implementation of Section 9 of the Intoxication Liquor Act 2008 which stipulates separate walls and tills must be used where alcohol is sold in a mixed-trade premises.

Several governments have decided not to press ahead with its introduction as it was argued its conditions were too onerous on retailers.

Mr White welcomed the audit’s main findings, which showed that compliance rates across all stores had risen in relation to the three principal compliance checks carried out.

They relate to the visible display in-store of the code, staff knowledge and training and the physical display of alcohol within the premises.

“This independent and professional audit of 400 stores across the country deserves recognition as the benchmark of compliance by the mixed trade sector,” said Mr White. Most stores failed compliance for breaching the stipulation that alcohol should only be sold at clearly designated checkouts.

Members found to be in breach of the code can face a number of possible sanctions including expulsion from the RRAI, objections to the renewal or granting of a liquor licence, and the public naming and shaming of stores which persistently or systemically fail to comply. A total of 132 complaints were received by the RRAI in the 12 months to September 2015.