yup, that's Y I served as auto prts exporter but then realized I was doing the illegal. Chit, here in the states we have it similar w/"dealers", distributors, market bottle necks. Merica seems the land of the middle men ("I can make some $ offa dis."). In B2B (business to business) terms alcohol must be purchased thru a "distributor" (new autos, thru the dealier only). The company rec the "gin" from the manafacturer, has it's own trucks that take it to ALL the sales places (in MA you can not have more than a 3 store chain... selling 'gin').
These bottle necks increase cost, slow down product to customers. Often they have no over seas distributor. AutoZone, as I mentioned, has some (mexico, PR, Brazil & VI) BECAUSE they have stores there (I believe). None in GB? U can still buy over the net but must pay the duty (C the 'duty free stores' in airports... "Last Chance" 8^ )