It's been a few months since the govt halved the wine duty from 80% to 40%, supposedly to assist the catering industry. The catering industry naturally said that they would need to get rid of old stock before reducing prices (although I suspect if the duty had gone up, the prices would have risen on the same day).
Anyway, I have noticed that the prices of wine in the main supermarkets have lowered by 10-20%, which sounds about right. However I haven't noticed any change in the prices of wine in the restaurants and bars that I tend to go to.
Can anyone name any bars or restaurants that have actually dropped their wine prices (an effect that the duty reduction was supposed to achieve)?
Please support our advertisers:
From what I have observed, most restaurants have "re-designed" their wine lists in an effort to use this change as a smoke-screen to make it impossible/very difficult to realise that prices have not, in fact, been reduced.
But, what choice do we have? Stop drinking wine?
viva the free market!
Please support our advertisers:
When the tax on soft drinks was abolished a few years back, the difference was not passed on to customers - despite Hamish saying that he had taken steps which were to ensure that the full benefit would be passed on to consumers...
Please support our advertisers:
"We know you'll pay it regardless" seems to be the attitude of the bars and restaurants. Not much you can do other than find a reasonable BYO place or simply not drink wine in restaurants, but I'm going to start importing cases of wine and paying the duty.
At 40% it's now just worth importing the wines you like rather than getting stuck with whatever Watsons decides to bring in.
Please support our advertisers:
I suggest you go to a decent wine shop, I recommend Maxi Wines in Central, great selection and great prices.
they even have regular wine tastings, so you can really try before you buy.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail