A recent slump in sales means Sydney liquor store owner Louise Dowling has to work an additional 40 hours a week to make up for the staff she had to let go, as a prolonged cost of living crisis in Australia drives more people to drink less.

¡°Without the foot traffic, without the sales, you don¡¯t have the money to employ extra people,¡± said Dowling at her P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants store in Enmore, a popular dining and nightlife suburb.

¡°Everyone¡¯s trying to tighten their belts, including us.¡±