Thresher chief executive David Williams has lambasted supermarkets for allegedly encouraging under-age drinking.
Speaking at the Key Issues for Licensed Retail 2004 conference this week, he claimed that the multiples' discounting of many alcoholic products was 'irresponsible'.
He claimed that the grocers do not put their staff through 'rigorous' training, meaning that drinks are sold to minors.
Williams complained: 'I see mothers with their young daughters filling their trolleys with RTDs (ready-to-drink products) and it pisses me off because it's a proxy purchase. This is an example of how companies can help to spread under-age drinking.'
A Sainsbury's spokeswoman responded: 'We have procedures in place so we don't sell to under-age people.'
A Tesco spokeswoman insisted: 'It's ridiculous to suggest Tesco is irresponsible. There are laws and we adhere to them.'
- The private house is usurping the public house as rising supermarket beer sales mean consumers drink at home rather than in the pub, according to Punch Taverns chief executive Giles Thorley.
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