Booze At Your Doorstep? Online Delivery Of Alcohol Through Zomato, Swiggy Soon, Says Report

Several Indian states, including Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala and Delhi, are reportedly considering pilot projects to allow home delivery of alcohol through online platforms like Swiggy, BigBasket, Zomato, and Blinkit.

According to a report by ET, the initial phase will likely focus on low-alcohol beverages such as beer, wine, and liqueurs.

Authorities are evaluating the pros and cons of the move, executives stated according to the outlet. Currently, home delivery of alcohol is permitted in Odisha and West Bengal.

Home Delivery of Alcohol

• States considering: Several Indian states including New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are looking into pilot programs.
• Delivery Platforms: Swiggy, Zomato, Bigbasket, and Blinkit could be involved in these trials.
• Type of Alcohol: Initially, the focus would likely be on low-alcohol beverages like beer, wine, and liqueurs.
• Current Situation: Presently, only Odisha and West Bengal allow home delivery of alcohol.

“This is to cater to a growing expat population especially in larger cities, changing profiles of consumers who perceive moderate alcohol-content spirits as recreational drinking along with meals, and women and senior citizens who have flagged buying from traditional liquor vends and shop-front experiences as unpleasant,” ET quoted an executive as saying.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, liquor deliveries were temporarily permitted in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Assam, albeit with restrictions.

The temporary approval for liquor deliveries during the lockdown in these states was successful despite restrictions, according to the ET report.

According to the report, retail industry executives noted that online deliveries have resulted in a 20-30% increase in sales in West Bengal and Odisha.