Guide

Minimum unit pricing compliance for alcohol retailers

Retail & Consumer GoodsFood, Drink & Hospitality UK-wide

All alcohol sold in Scotland must be priced at or above the minimum unit price. This applies to both on-sales (pubs, restaurants) and off-sales (shops, supermarkets). Selling below the minimum price is a criminal offence.

How to calculate the minimum price

Multiply these three figures together:

  1. Alcohol by volume (ABV) — shown on the label as a percentage
  2. Volume in litres — convert ml to litres (divide by 1000)
  3. Minimum unit price — currently 65p

Formula: ABV × volume (litres) × 65p = minimum price

Examples

  • 750ml bottle of wine at 13% ABV: 0.13 × 0.75 × 65p = £6.34 minimum
  • 500ml can of lager at 4% ABV: 0.04 × 0.5 × 65p = £1.30 minimum
  • 700ml bottle of whisky at 40% ABV: 0.40 × 0.7 × 65p = £18.20 minimum

Multi-buy ban

Scotland also bans quantity-based discounts on off-sales alcohol. You cannot offer 'buy one get one free' or volume discounts on alcohol in off-sales premises.

Enforcement and penalties

Licensing Standards Officers (LSOs) and Trading Standards monitor compliance. Breach of minimum pricing is a criminal offence that can result in fines up to £20,000, imprisonment up to 6 months, and licence review or revocation.

Alcohol licensing requirements

How to obtain a premises licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales, including application process, fees, designated premises supervisor requirements, and licensing objectives.

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Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, premises and personal licences, occasional licences, overprovision, and minimum unit pricing.

Read guide