Retail Drinks Australia (Retail Drinks) has today announced voluntary purchasing limits by participating liquor retailers for purchases in one transaction. The Western Australian Government last week announced more severe restrictions on alcohol purchases last week. You can also read DrinkWise’s timely advice during the current situation.

Articles published under the media release byline are news produced by the relevant business and remain unedited by Brews News.

Retail Drinks Australia (Retail Drinks) has today announced a voluntary national initiative by participating liquor retailers to place temporary limits on the amount of product customers can purchase in one transaction.

Retail Drinks CEO Julie Ryan said this initiative was developed following concerns being raised by government that customers could change their purchasing behaviours and cause supply interruptions as seen within the grocery market.

“We know that consumers like to feel certainty of supply during times of crisis, and our members want to do their part to encourage people continuing to purchase alcohol responsibly as they normally would.

“Our suppliers in breweries, wineries, distilleries and the wholesale and distribution of drinks continue to be fully operational and this means there are no issues of supply.

“However, it was clear that uncertainty on the impact of supply following the closure of pubs, clubs and restaurants last week caused some people to purchase differently.

“We want to now send a clear message bottle shops remain an essential service and there are no issues of supply.

“These temporary measures will ensure that all consumers can continue to access their favourite drinks when they decide to make a purchase.”

In explaining the temporary limits, Ms Ryan noted that explanatory signage would be available within stores and could also be found on the participating retailers’ websites.

“From opening of trading today signage will be displayed both in stores and online, which explains the purchasing limits.

“These temporary restrictions are intended to operate per transaction, and are clear and easy for both our retail workers, and consumers, to understand.

“Put simply, each category of drinks, whether it be beer, wine, cider, RTDs or spirits, will have a limit for that category.

“Consumers can purchase up to the total limit in any two product categories.”

PRODUCT CATGEORY
TRANSACTION LIMIT

Beer
2 cases*

Cider
2 cases*

Pre-mix spirits/Ready to Drink (RTD)
2 cases*

Wine
12 bottles

Cask Wine
2 casks, not to exceed 10L in total

Bottled Spirits
2 bottles, not to exceed 2L in total

*Cases refer to either 24/30 pack, as applicable

It was noted that the initiative did not apply in Western Australia where there were different regulated limitations on purchasing, that continued to apply.

Ms Ryan also urged consumers to continue to keep the health and safety of retail workers in mind when these changes are implemented.

“Please remember that our liquor retail staff are working hard to serve you and they deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy while they assist you to understand these changes.”

Participating Retailers

National – all licensees

Coles Liquor (Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, First Choice, First Choice Liquor Market, all online retailers) Endeavour Drinks (Dan Murphy’s, BWS, all online retailers), Aldi Supermarkets

Independent liquor retailers – selected licensees from the following retail banners

Independent Brands Australia*
Liquor Legends
Urban Cellars
Liquor Stax**

*Independent Brands Australia (IBA) is the second-largest network of liquor retail outlets in Australia with approximately 2,700 stores. The IBA network includes a stable of strong national brands, including Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor, Duncans, Thirsty Camel (In NSW, QLD, TAS, NT & SA), Big Bargain and Porters.

**Liquor Stax is an independent banner group with approximately 430 members being Hotels or Liquor Retail Stores within Australia. Liquor Stax has a network of liquor retail outlets in Australia with approximately 250 stores.

You can hear our conversation with DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan on The Antidote podcast.