Australia’s ACS Submits Proposal to Reverse C-store Alcohol Ban

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores has made a submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the retail industry, claiming the sale of alcohol will help it compete with supermarket chains. The submission calls for liquor to be sold at larger branded stores, such as APCO, 7-Eleven, BP and Caltex  not unbranded corner stores.

The Association of Convenience Stores is pushing for the change in a bid to compete with supermarket chains. Association executive director Jeff Rogut said it was a critical time for the industry and selling alcohol could provide a competitive edge. "From our point of view, we really don't have the opportunity to compete the way we'd like to," Mr Rogut said. "If you look at conveniences stores across the world, they all have the ability to sell alcohol."

Geelong-based APCO Service Stations director Peter Anderson said alcohol would be available at all seven of Geelong's APCO stores if the regulations were reversed. "I think the Government should take away this anti-competitive legislation which prevents us selling alcohol," Mr Anderson said. "We already have drive-through bottle shops, so why can't we have alcohol sales at convenience stores."

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