When alcohol retail businesses choose to go the delivery route, they need to put together a proper alcohol delivery service plan. There are a few initial steps they should take. Get all required permits, signage, and distribution tools in place. Establish a delivery system that meets the regulations of your state. If home delivery is permitted, set up an internal distributing system as well.
If you reside in one of the very few states allowing the use of non-alcoholic delivery services for orders containing alcohol, set up a designated third-party distributing network. It is important to remember that these distributors must be 18 years old or older and that they can personally supervised at all times. The distributors should also keep a constant alcohol monitoring record. While you can monitor the progress of these alcohol delivery services by telephone, it is much more efficient and accurate to email the information.
Once you have your alcohol delivery service operating, you can start to broaden its range of offerings. Some distributors do not allow any more than one type of liquor to be delivered to a single customer. Other Distributors are capable of selling all types of alcoholic beverages. Determine which type of retailer will work best for your business. Keep in mind that a service that offers liquor only may not necessarily meet all your needs.
In addition to carrying liquor, some stores offer all types of alcohol and a beer delivery service. If your store carries kegs, a beer delivery app may be beneficial. These apps require the consumer to download the app and input their information. They pay a small fee each time their order is filled and the company ships a keg to the customer.
If your alcohol delivery service does not already carry spirits, consider adding the option to your menu. Many of today’s bars and restaurants have a selection of brand of spirits available on draft or in bottled form. You could also add the option of a bar beer selection, but many customers would rather have the convenience of ordering spirits and selecting a bottled beverage. You can add a flat rate for this service and take a cut of the profits.
If your grocery store carries a wine department, it may be a good idea to include that department as part of your on-demand alcohol delivery service. Just as with liquor stores, shoppers typically prefer to buy liquor in bulk at a lower price. It would also be a good idea to offer a flat rate for your grocery shoppers to pay if they are buying for a group of family members. This flat rate would take into account the total number of bottles sold during a specified time. This is a great way to ensure that you are meeting your liquor store sales goals.
