Co-op faces backlash after offering discount on beer for half a million students The price of beers, wines and spirits will come down by 10 per cent at Co-op stores nationwide as part of an unprecedented 10 per cent student discount offered by the society across groceries on sale at 2,800 stores. Eric Appleby, Alcohol Concern's chief executive, said: "Alcohol misuse costs lives and drains our economy of more than £21 billion. If we're to tackle the rising tide of alcohol harm we're facing we have to take action and stop selling cheap, strong booze at pocket money prices. The Co-op has excluded cigarettes and tobacco from the discount scheme, as well as lottery tickets, petrol, stamps and baby milk. A spokesman said the chain wanted to "reconnect" with the younger generation and that alcohol was part of its grocery offer. The NUS insisted that outside organisations had been consulted by the scheme was launched. Raechel Mattey, NUS vice president added that the stereotype of students prioritising alcohol over food was "outdated." She said: "Both NUS and the Co-oprative are committed to promoting responsible drinking. This partnership is about offering students a discount across all of their shopping to make their food bills more manageable. She added: "Our research shows that students are spending on average up to £49 a week on food, while their alcohol total comse to an average of £15." Earlier this summer the Co-op was widely praised by threatening to ban lads' mags unless they covered up the front page. Nuts refused and criticised the supermarket for a "knee-jerk" action.