Kolkata’s alcohol lovers will soon be able to order their favorite drinks from the comfort of their homes. Four platforms have signed an agreement with the West Bengal State Beverage Corporation, Bevco and the state’s wholesale-distribution arm for starting doorstep deliveries. The four platforms comprise of two of the biggest food delivery chains, 1 specialised liquor delivery system, and a retail chain.
Swiggy and Zomato are already popular in the city and are expected to launch services soon. The launch could possibly be as soon as on Thursday. Sources say that they have started ground work and hope to start a “dry run” in Kolkata and Siliguri soon.
Exclusively meant for transactions involving “adult beverages” and, RBI-approved Hip Bar has also signed a deal with Bevco. Hip Bar has already aided in liquor deliveries in Bengaluru. Spencer’s Retail has also signed up with Bevco, which has a liquor arm and is carrying out a pilot project.
On May5, Bevco had floated an e-retail platform. However, the response was underwhelming. Therefore, it decided to expand the service to platforms with a well-established expertise in the e-delivery of food and liquor.
According to the agreement, the enlisted companies shall act as service providers of alcoholic beverages. The service shall include online ordering and delivery, handling electronic ordering, sales and home deliveries. Further, the agreement stipulates that liquor retailers are free to enrol themselves on all or any of these platforms. Retail outlets with bars on premises may also enrol themselves for home deliveries using the aforementioned service providers.
However, the e-platforms shall not charge the retail licensees; instead they shall charge an extra-per-bottle fee for last-mile deliveries.