'Sip and shop': The retailers tempting you in with alcohol

Image source, Sarah-Jane Adams

Going to a laundrette to get your washing done is not something most people think of as fun, but two friends want to change that.

Laundry and Latte is a business owned by Sarah-Jane Adams and Dee Anderson.

Their business combines a laundry and a caf. The venue is fully licenced, so you can enjoy an alcoholic drink while you watch your clothing spin around.

We wanted it to be welcoming. Ms Adams says they wanted to make laundry pleasurable.

Recently, a mother came in and said it had been an awful week. She had a large glass of wine while we did her washing.

Laundry and Latte is part of a small but growing trend on the UK High Street that is being dubbed "sip and shop". You can get an alcoholic drink or two at a retailer or service provider.

This is part of the wider experience retail movement, whereby an increasing number of physical shops are deciding that they need to offer shoppers experiences other than just the opportunity to buy something, in order to woo them away from online shopping.

Image source, Sarah-Jane Adams

A fashion store with staff who can help customers pick their clothes is one of the experiences on offer.

There are other experiences where people can try before they buy.

According to a report earlier this year, half of retail space will be dedicated to experiences by the year 2025. The study said we are approaching an experience tipping point.

Shops should not be allowed to allow customers to sip a drink while they shop, given that alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales hit a 20-year high during the Pandemic. Is it possible to encourage more excessive drinking?

When Hanako opened in the town of Berkhamsted, it caused some misunderstanding because of the florist shop and champagne bar.

Image source, Haylee Benton

She says there was confusion about what it was, and everyone thought the flowers were just for decoration. The concept started to click with people after three months.

Hanako is the world's first florist where you can have a glass of champagne while your bouquet is being made.

I saw a gap in the market for people craving experiences. She started the business last year and sells hot drinks and other types of alcohol.

A lot of men come for a coffee or beer while waiting for their flowers to be made. It is all about the experience for us.

Image source, Haylee Benton

Shops can't just start selling alcoholic drinks for free or for a fee. They have to apply for a licence from their local authority.

They can use the services of a firm of solicitors that specialize in licencing applications, such as Poppleston Allen.

James Anderson, one of its partners, says they have seen a noticeable increase in sip and shop licence applications in recent months.

We expect to be dealing with more of these licence applications over the next few years.

New Economy explores how businesses, trade, economies and working life are changing fast.

Any shop that sells alcohol without a licence could be subject to an unlimited fine.

The BookBar was founded in London by Chrissy Ryan. Bookbar has a wine and coffee-loving community who come to socialize around books.

Image source, Chrissy Ryan

She says that they had to be innovative from the beginning.

The wine encourages people to linger for longer, to chat with the staff and receive book recommendations, while books make up 70% of Bookbar's sales.

Customers can relax while we shop for them. Some people come for a glass of wine and leave with a pile of books. Others come for a book recommendation and stay for a glass of wine.

A place that combines book recommendations, community and a place to meet friends is perfect, according to a BookBar regular.

During the Pandemic, Ms Kime drank more frequently at home. It is something I am aware of, but not something I am worried about.

David Wilson is an ambassador for charity Alcohol Change UK, which works to help problem drinkers, and raises awareness of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.

He warns that alcohol can make people more impulsive, and therefore more likely to make a bigger purchase than they intended to.

sip and shop benefits the store as much as the customer does, he says.

Ms Kime has never drunkenly booked a flight to another country. I have almost certainly pressed checkout while drunk.