Tesco accused over booze supplies

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 08:58

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is being investigated on two counts – including the claim that it ran special offers on alcohol without having enough stock to meet customer demand.

The company is also facing another allegation that its advertisements of cut-price alcohol were used as a baiting tool to lure shoppers into its stores – even though supplies had run out.

Trading Standards is investigating whether the chain broke the law by failing to have enough stock and the Advertising Standards Agency is looking into claims that the group broke advertising rules.

The allegations against the supermarket came from West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper, who made contact with the investigators after failing to buy special-offer alcohol in three Tescos – even though it was advertised at each one.

She said: "On a personal level it doesn't matter, but on a national level I think Tesco is getting too big for its boots.

"If they have been using bait advertising and think they can get away with it then somebody should stop it."

Tesco denied the claims, stressing that additional supplies were ordered as soon as possible.