What if alcohol excise duties were costing Belgium more value than they generate?

That is the question I put to Geert Van Lerberghe and Étienne Bouillon from Vinum et Spiritus in this new episode of Retail Influencer.

Since the major increase in excise duties in 2015, price differences with neighbouring countries have become significant for certain categories.

And the issue goes far beyond the bottle of alcohol itself.

A consumer crossing the border to buy whisky, gin or liqueur at a lower price may also do part of their grocery shopping there. Alcohol then becomes the trigger that can move an entire shopping basket abroad. With consequences for Belgian retailers, suppliers, employment and, more broadly, for the value created in Belgium.

A conversation that goes well beyond alcohol and raises a real retail question: how do we make sure that consumer spending stays on our market as much as possible?

I invite you to listen to the original conversation on the French podcast stream of Retail Influencer www.20CENTRETAIL.com

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