61% disagreed with plans to introduce a minimum fixed price, and almost three quarters disagreed with plans to sell alcohol at a separate checkout.
“Tough new changes to the display of alcohol and the times we can sell to shoppers are already due in 2009 – we believe that we should let one set of reforms take place before making further changes,” said Paul Kelly, corporate affairs director for Asda.
“While everyone accepts that some people drink too much and the pressures this puts on public services and the public purse, penalising the vast majority of shoppers – in these tough economic times – is hugely unpopular,” he added.
However, Kelly said that Asda was “keen to work with the Government” to tackle alcohol abuse.
He revealed that from 30 September 2008, Asda would cease selling beers or ciders with ‘free extra’ product in them, such as cans of beer with 13.5% free.
