Amazon To Start Doorstep Alcohol Delivery In India Very Soon

Amazon India has reportedly acquired clearance for sale and delivery of alcohol in West Bengal. The West Bengal State Beverages Corp, the authorized agency for retail alcohol sales in the state has said Amazon is among the companies found eligible for carrying out alcohol delivery in the state.

Amazon India is also said to be very keen on widening this throughout the country in the near future as well. But West Bengal may be the first state from which delivering liquor may be started by the e-commerce giant. According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the alcohol market in the country is estimated to be about $27.2 billion.

The notice from West Bengal State Beverages Corp also says BigBasket was also found to be eligible for doorstep alcohol delivery in the state. BigBasket is among the top online grocery shopping venture, backed by the Chinese giant Alibaba.

Swiggy and Zomato are already selling and delivering alcohol in various parts of the country. The government of India during the nationwide lockdown lifted the ban on online sales and deliveries of alcohol. Releasing the ban has resulted in reduced queues at various liquor shops nationwide. Jharkhand was amongst the first state to allow this with Swiggy being the very first company to be allowed the sales as well.

But there were various guidelines laid by the Government to be followed in selling liquor. The customer has to provide a valid government ID proof stating the age before placing the order. Also, for accepting the delivery, the user has to provide the OTP before accepting the order. There is also a limit for each person on the quantity that can be ordered.

The timeline for Amazon to start delivering alcohol in West Bengal and in other parts of the country is yet unknown, but Amazon has started to take steps to enter the retail alcohol sales as well.