JW Filshill has put a minimum unit pricing (MUP) action plan in place ahead of the introduction of the new legislation on May 1.
The Glasgow-based wholesaler is working with retailers to ensure they fully understand the implications of MUP and how it will affect their business.
Minimum pricing is designed to cut the intake of problem drinkers by raising the price of the strongest, cheapest alcohol, with the extra revenue going to retailers. The Scottish Government has set the minimum price for a unit of alcohol at 50p.
Craig Brown (pictured), Filshill’s Retail Sales Director, said: “We have been providing information to KeyStore retailers every three weeks through our promotional guidelines since February and have sent out an information sheet to all our customers.
“The MUP price is also listed on the sales pages of our website and app so when a customer logs in and goes to the alcohol section they can see what the MUP is for every line.
“Retailers and their staff are very much on the front line as far as MUP is concerned and need to know what they must to do comply with the law.”
Posters highlighting the impending legislation are also on display in prominent positions in Filshill’s cash and carry at Hillington.
The wholesaler’s ReScan EPOS system has also been updated to block the sale of lines below MUP.
Both the Scottish Grocers’ Federation and Scottish Wholesale Association have produced guidelines for their members as has the Scottish Government.
“The Scottish Government has warned that there will be no ‘period of grace’ for MUP compliance and retailers can expect inspection visits to begin as soon as the law comes into effect,” said Brown.
Guidance from the Scottish Government states that the premises licence holder, store managers and store staff are all responsible for ensuring a shop is compliant.
