News.Scotland.Org

November, 14

Now sale of alcohol will be done in a sophisticated manner in shops, soon it will get a separate area in the supermarkets. It is known that the Scottish government is all set to ban the display of alcohol in stores. Earlier, Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary mentioned that alcohol will not be sold like a ‘pint of milk or packet of tattie scones’ in supermarkets. This massive decision has raised a severe feeling of discomfort among the retailers, who are against this decision.

It was noticed that alcohol was available so easily in every supermarkets and shops with more and more cross-merchandising generating a wrong message to the masses. Beer placed next to barbecues and other things will be a past from now, this decision will oblige these supermarkets to sell alcohol in a different shelf or area.

With the on set of the festive season the decision has raised some serious concern for the shopkeepers, who now has a mammoth task on hands. Christmas is nearing and all shopkeepers are busy to generate their sales and in between this new change will be a challenge for them says retailers like Asda. This new bevvy culture will refine the market look and will give alcohol a separate area to woo its fans.

In recent years it is clearly seen that alcohol has taken a prime place in almost all shops and supermarkets. That too the way these hard drinks are displayed and promoted can fascinate even a non-drinker. Even many strange cross-merchandising was seen, like beer displayed next to barbecues and white wines in the lingerie departments. Even the checkout area remains flooded with wines; all over alcohol is projected so heavily which was a worry sign. But sooner or later the Scottish government has decided to restrict the area for alcohol sale in shops and supermarket.

This new way of merchandising is making buyers attracted towards the new alcohol culture and getting the innocent buyers to flow along this wave of promotion. Hope after this decision the alcohol lovers would get a separate area to grab their favourite bottle, while the rest buyers can enjoy their shopping without the alcohol effect.

Scotland Nov 14: The First minister of Scotland Alex Salmond expressed hope that by 2017 the Scotland will develop as an independent country. He made this statement while addressing on the occasion of the SNP’s first budget in government, the budget for the next three years will be decided during this session.

He came down from his rigid stand to decide a time schedule to attain the sovereignty within a decade. He also initiated the economic strategy of Scotland that put forth high level targets for the coming decade. This statement by the First Minister about the sovereignty was harshly criticised by the opposition party members.

The document which has 42 pages gives details about the objectives to be achieved in the next 10 years. The strategy aims to reach the economic growth rate of the proportionally smaller European Union countries.

While addressing a press conference in Glasgow Mr Salmond said: “The targets for the Year 2017 will be attained with the present powers bestowed with the Scottish government. But Scotland needs the full powers of freedom to achieve all the targets stated in the document. Im expecting that we will be in that position by 2017.”

Mr Salmond further added that: “For over the last three decades the average growth rate of Scotland is just 1.8 per cent, half the average growth rate of smaller European countries. During the last 25 years the figures remains without any huge change. The government of Scotland is confident enough to become wealthier and fairer than what it is now.”

Before the establishment of Scottish Parliament the SNP fixed a date for the fulfilment of the independent Scotland. At that time the year was decided as 1993 and it fails to bear fruit. But the First Minister’s decision to fix a deadline gains more significance as the party now holds power and the party succeeded in its attempt to instil the feeling of independent Scotland in the minds of the Scottish people.