Liquor rush continues — despite ‘war’

Press, 29 December 1979, Page 1

Liquor rush continues — despite ‘war’

Christchurch drinkers rushed liquor outlets as usual during the Christmas season, in spite of the heavy buying which started with the price-cutting *’war’* in November.

Two liquor resellers said yesterday they were surprised by the upsurge in demand.

“Last week it went absolutely crazy. Christmas was a lot better than expected.” said Mr L. J. Stewart, manager of Wilson Neill, Ltd. Mr E. C. Hunter, manager of the rival Warner’s bottle store, said: “I thought everyone had bought their liquor a few weeks before Christmas; I

was completely taken by surprise on Monday, which was one of the busiest trading days on record.” The heavy Christmas demand on top of the trade in cut-price liquor was reflected in the bottle store’s takings which Mr Hunter said were up 200 per cent on last year. Many of this week’s customers were “out of town people,” apparently attracted by the reputation of low prices. Both sellers indicated

that the general liquor price increases in November had yet to catch up with their competitive pricing. Mr Stewart said Wilson Neill’s beer price had not changed in the 10 weeks since the store opened in Christchurch, and most wine prices had not risen. Mr Hunter said there had been some slight adjustments in his prices, but none which would reflect the genera! November increases.