The Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation proposed to discuss the lifting of the ban on the sale of low-alcohol drinks at gas stations, according to the draft report of the department sent to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
The ministry notes that the initiative will help support the filling business and curb the rise in fuel prices. In particular, it will be possible to "expand the range of non-fuel goods at gas stations and improve their margins by increasing the revenue generated by the non-fuel segment of sales of related goods and services."
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation is ready to return to the discussion of this issue if an appropriate instruction is given. The Ministry of Energy said that the department as a whole is conducting "systematic work to support gas stations."
As a reminder, the sale of alcoholic beverages at gas stations was banned in 2012. Since then, it has been repeatedly proposed to lift this ban. In July 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to allow the sale of alcohol at gas stations, parks and medical institutions. The ministry also wanted to allow shops, restaurants and cafes to sell alcohol over the Internet.
