E-commerce giant Amazon’s India foray into selling liquor on its platform could begin from Bengal if an agreement works out with the West Bengal State Beverages Corporation.
Amazon now offers non-alcoholic beverages on its Indian platform whereas the global platform has a separate alcoholic beverages category comprising beer, cocktail mixtures, spirits and wine.
Indian online grocery chain Big Basket could be another platform tipplers in the city could tap into for doorstep delivery of liquor.
The state beverage corporation in a notice issued on Friday said that four firms — Innovative Retail Concept Private Limited (Big Basket), Golden Goenka Commerce Private Limited, Senrysa Technologies Private Limited (Next Door Hub) and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited — are eligible for empanelment on the state’s list of companies which would be engaged in the electronic retail business of liquor.
They have been called for signing memorandums of agreement with the state beverage corporation.
Once the agreement is signed, these four will join the existing four firms that have already been empanelled by the state —Spencer’s Retail Limited, Bundle Technologies Private Limited (Swiggy), Hip Bar Private Limited and Zomato Private Limited.
Amazon and Big Basket did not revert on the plans for the new venture. City based Golden Goenka Commerce was upbeat about the business opportunity.
“We have been an active investor for the past 25 years and seeing a great opportunity in online liquor trading, we decided to expand our horizon and invest in the new venture,” Rajeev Goenka, COO, Golden Goenka Commerce, said.
According to industry observers both Amazon and Big Basket have the logistics and infrastructure to support the business. Their entry would encourage competition. It would be beneficial for buyers when it comes to delivery and associated charges.
The state excise department in a notification on May 5, 2020, had allowed the provision of telephonic/home delivery of liquor and has subsequently launched an online portal for retail and doorstep delivery of liquor to legal-age consumers.
