BENGALURU: India’s foodtech segment is witnessing a major disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic: While online food aggregators are foraying into delivery of alcohol, e-commerce players are testing waters in the food delivery space.After witnessing more than 80 per cent reduction in food orders, online food aggregators such as Swiggy and Zomato have branched out to liquor delivery, starting with Ranchi in Jharkhand.
Swiggy said it has enabled a ‘Wine Shops’ feature on its app for Jharkhand customers, which will be live from Thursday in Ranchi, and will gradually extend to other cities as well.
Swiggy is also in talks with multiple state governments for support with online processing and home delivery of alcohol, which the com pany can immediately enable by leveraging its existing technology, logistics infrastructure and nationwide presence, it said in a statement.
Zomato too has kick-started liquor delivery. “With due permissions and licences in place, we are starting home delivery of alcohol in Jharkhand. We believe that a technology-enabled home-delivery-based solution can enable responsible alcohol consumption as well as provide a safer option that promotes social distancing. We will go live in Ranchi later today and seven other cities in Jharkhand over the next couple of days,” a Zomato spokesperson told TNIE.
The food aggregators will have to comply with regulations including customer age verification, limiting the number of orders as per each state’s guideline, and collaborating with licensed alcohol retailers, to ensure smooth home delivery of liquor.Meanwhile, e-commerce giant Amazon said it has begun its food delivery service in India and the initiative will take off first in select pin codes across Bengaluru.
“Customers have been telling us for some time that they would like to order prepared meals on Amazon in addition to shopping for all other essentials. This is particularly relevant in present times as they stay home safe. We also recognise that local businesses need all the help they can get. We are launching Amazon Food in select Bangalore pin codes, allowing customers to order from hand-picked local restaurants and cloud kitchens that pass our high hygiene certification bar. We are adhering to the highest standards of safety to ensure our customers remain safe while having a delightful experience,” said an Amazon India spokesperson.
Playing by rules
Zomato and Swiggy will comply with norms such as customer age verification, limiting the number of orders as per each state’s guideline, and collaborating with licensed alcohol retailers to ensure a smooth home delivery of liquor.