Woolworths and the Coles Myers Liquorland chain have been accused of forcing potential pub operators in New South Wales into restrictive agreements regarding opening bottle shops in new hotels. It is alleged that the retailers threatened to tie up liquor license applications in long legal disputes, potentially for years, unless they agreed not to sell alcohol for off premise consumption.
AUSTRALIA: ACCC extends liquor retailing inquiry
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has extended its inquiry into alleged anti-competitive practices by retailers Coles Myer and Woolworths in the liquor retailing sector beyond New South Wales.