KOCHI: Tipplers in the city rang in the New Year by scripting a new record as the Consumerfed premium spirits’ outlet at Vyttila in Kochi recorded the highest sale of Rs 1.02 crore in the state on December 31.
Besides, it has emerged that the sale of liquor in premium outlets are touching new highs compared to those in the ordinary shops run by the Beverages Corporation and Consumerfed across Kerala. The Vyttila Premium Outlet of Consumerfed recorded total sales,including those of beer and wine, worth Rs 1.02,88, 885. In comparison, the premium outlet of Beverages Corporation at Gandhinagar in Kochi could only transact business worth Rs 48.65 lakh on December 31.
The Consumerfed outlets’ combined sales came to Rs 10.72 crore while Beverages Corporation with a higher number of outlets did business of Rs 59.03 crore on the last day of 2016. Even though a comprehensive list on the business transacted by the Consumerfed outlets in December is not available, officials believe that number will easily surpass the previous years’ records.
As for the record sales witnessed at the Vyttila outlet, the officials gave credit to the party-loving Kochiities. On Onam eve in 2015, the same outlet had recorded sales worth Rs 38 lakh which was then the highest in the state.
The Beverages Corporation has 270 outlets while the Consumerfed has 39 liquor outlets in the state. “There are numerous factors behind the brisk business at the Vyttila premium outlet. On account of its prime location, that too beside the National Highway, the business surpassed those of the previous years. Similarly, several private parties were organised at the nearby hotels for which liquor was purchased from the premium outlet.
Now, people like to purchase liquor from the premium outlet where they do not have to stand in the queue and also get ample time to select the favourite brands. Anticipating the rush, there were 18 officials deployed at Vyttila premium outlet alone to manage the rush,” an official said. With the Consumerfed set to introduce Point of Sale (POS) machine from January, the officials believe that the sales would go up even further. As far demonetisation is concerned, officials at the Consumerfed’s Vyttila outlet said,”Even though there was an initial hiccup, the situation has become normal as far as sale is of liquor is concerned. Now the demonetisation effects do not exist as far as liquor sale is concerned,” they said.