Tesco said yesterday that it wants to work with the government to limit the sale of cut-price alcohol, amid growing concerns over the damage binge drinking does to society.
Britain's biggest supermarket chain said it could be accused of breaking competition rules unless ministers change the law to allow higher alcohol prices to be fixed.
Tesco's Lucy Neville-Rolfe, executive director for corporate and legal affairs, said the changes must apply to all retailers, or shoppers would simply go to cheaper outlets.
"All shops that sell alcohol need to act together - and this is where we are being held back by the law," she said in a statement. "Competition law prevents businesses discussing anything to do with price with each other.
"The only safe solution is for the government to initiate and lead these discussions."