Claire Smith:'I was just going to buy one box of beer – but at this price I think I will buy two'

Published on Friday 21 May 2010 23:15

AS THE warm weather finally arrived in Edinburgh, shoppers' thoughts turned to barbecues – and to cut-price booze.

At Tesco Extra in Corstorphine customers were stocking up on giant bargain packs of cheap lager and filling their trolleys with bottles of wine.

"Ideal for Summer", "Half Price" and "25 per cent off" screamed the banners, while the end of the aisle was decorated with pictures of footballs and an array of World Cup flags.

Outside the store a giant poster advertised the supermarket's current World Cup deals – with Carling, Carlsberg, Strongbow and Tennent's at 16 for two bumper boxes.

Sam Park, a PA from Corstorphine, was stocking up on cider: "These were two for 16 – so we came in to get two boxes, but there was only one left. You do look for deals, especially in these economic times."

As well as the World Cup deals on beer, there are special offers on wine – with some at 25 per cent off and others at half price, as well as an additional reduction of 5 per cent if you buy six bottles or more.

Popular spirits such as Malibu, Grants whisky and Disaronno Amaretto are also discounted for bulk buying – with an offer of two for 22.

Kirsty Ryder, an NHS manager, was lingering over the lager. "I was just going to buy one box of beer – but at this price I think I will end up buying two."

But she added: "It won't make me drink more. I don't drink a lot, so buying both of these means I probably won't buy any more alcohol 'til September."

Meanwhile, at Tesco Metro in Nicolson Street, students were stocking up on beer and wine to celebrate the end of their exams.

David Cooper, a psychology and business student from Edinburgh. said students would miss the cheap deals. "I guess a lot of students will be upset if these deals come to an end."