Alcohol pricing - an end to loss leaders?

Fresh developments here in the ongoing debate about alcohol pricing and consumption in the UK.

The new coalition government has signalled an intent to ban loss-leading promotions on drinks prices. As its name suggests, with a loss-leader a product or service is sold at a loss (below unit cost) but that is intended to encourage people to buy other, profitable products or services. The corporate affairs department of Tesco has suggested that it now supporters minimum prices for a range of alcohol drinks but that until legislation is introduced, it is compelled to compete on price with the other major retailers.

There are signs too that the new government is re-thinking the 24 hour drinking licences beloved of the Labour government - whose fiscal policies of course drove many to drink heavily too!