MSPs Visit Stores to Learn About Responsible Retailing

For the second year running, convenience store retailers across Scotland have successfully joined forces with MSPs throughout Alcohol Awareness Week to raise awareness of the importance of responsible drinking and retailing.

Alcohol Awareness Week is a groundbreaking initiative, seeing Scottish Government, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector come together to get people to think about what they drink in terms of units of alcohol, and how this relates to the sensible drinking guidelines.

John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) said;

“This is the second year that SGF members have invited MSPs into their stores to jointly engage with customers within their local communities and encourage them to think about their drinking habits.

“We were delighted at the level of interest and support we received from MSPs. Store visits were organised across the whole of Scotland from Orkney to Gretna.

“As key stakeholders in their local communities our members understand the importance of fostering a culture of responsible drinking and invest significant resources to ensure they are responsible retailers of alcohol.

“During the store visits retailers had time to explain to MSPs some of the measures they take in their stores, including Challenge 25 and staff training, which help to drive up standards.

“If we want to improve Scotland’s relationship with alcohol we must accept that we all have a part to play. Hopefully AAW gives people ideas for small changes that can help them manage the amount of alcohol they drink.”