A new survey has found that about half of the alcohol sold in Scotland does not match the forthcoming minimum pricing legislation.
Analysts Nielsen have found that 69% of the spirits presently sold fall below the 50p per unit threshold
The sales data assessed by the analysts is said to have been procured from about 1,200 stores in Scotland.
However, Nielsen’s survey found out that 67% of beer in Scotland was priced under the minimum 50p per unit threshold.
Cider was at the second place as per the survey with 51% of it priced below the minimum threshold of 50p per unit.
To meet the threshold, blended Scotch whisky would have to see a price rise of 20% on average to match the threshold based on the survey findings.
According to the study, vodka should have its price surge by 16.3% to meet the threshold.
The wine segment seems to be the least affected though by the new legislation on alcohol, with only 3.4% of wine sales likely to have an impact.
Nielsen senior client manager Marika Pratico said that with wine being the least impacted, it would gain the most from the minimum pricing legislation.
Pratico said: “Overall, wine will need to raise prices by the least amount, thus, it becomes more affordable relative to other alcohol."
She added that there is a likelihood of more cross-border alcohol shopping as the Scottish would go for beverages from England and Ireland where the prices would be comparatively lower.
Last month, the Scottish government revealed its plans of implementing minimum price legislation on alcohol as soon as possible to address the country’s unhealthy relationship with drink.
