After Amazon, Now BigBasket Will Also Deliver Beer And Wine Straight To Your Home
It is a known fact that the coronavirus has had a severe impact on the Indian economy. Due to the countrywide lockdown for almost 2 months, all businesses, shops and other stuff had to be put to a complete stop.
India was among a handful of countries, including Thailand and South Africa, that had stopped alcohol sales while imposing a nationwide lockdown.
Starting March 24, liquor and tobacco shops across the country remained shut. But changes to this rule were brought in the third phase of the lockdown. On May 4, the Centre allowed the sale of liquor in all zones, barring the containment zones.
ANI
Predictably, people threw the social distancing norm out the window as they rushed to stock up on liquor. Restrictions were put in place and shopkeepers were instructed to ensure that customers maintain a distance of two metres between each other. However, pictures and videos that went viral online painted a completely different picture.
Keeping in mind the risk involved in stepping out, the government has now given clearance to some e-commerce portals to start home delivery of alcohol. Amazon and BigBasket have only been able to secure permission to deliver alcohol in the state of West Bengal, reports Reuters.
Reuters
According to an official notice released by West Bengal State Beverages Corp, the official agency responsible for online retail of liquor trade in West Bengal, Amazon and BigBasket are the only two companies who got clearance on the basis of eligibility criteria set by the authorities.
Each state sets its own alcohol sales policy. West Bengal last month invited companies to express interest for "handling electronic ordering, purchase, sale and home delivery of alcoholic liquors from licensed retail outlets" to eligible legal-age consumers in the state.
West Bengal is the fourth most populated state in India with over 90 million people. The report states, "Amazon has been invited to sign a memorandum of understanding with the state, said the notice, which has not previously been reported."
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Amazon¡¯s interest in delivering alcohol in West Bengal hints at an important move which makes way for a market that's worth $27.2 billion, according to a report by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
Amazon has, in the last few years, increased its e-commerce operations in India, and considering online shopping will take a front seat with the lockdown in tow - Amazon has also committed $6.5 billion in investments in India.
India's top two food-delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, started delivering alcohol in some cities last month, as they looked to cash-in on the high demand for booze as many states come out of lockdown.
This clearance for alcohol delivery in West Bengal paves way for the e-commerce companies to possibly begin the same service in other states as well.
