Delhi's New Excise Policy to Upgrade Liquor Retail Experience
Delhi's proposed new excise policy aims to improve the liquor retail experience by introducing larger, premium liquor stores and increasing per-bottle margins for retailers. The policy will maintain government-run liquor vends, with plans to expand store sizes and locate them in malls and shopping complexes. Retailers may see higher margins, encouraging a wider variety of stock and better service.
Delhi is set to revise its excise policy to enhance the retail experience for liquor consumers. The draft proposal, currently in its final stages, suggests upgrading liquor stores to larger, more modern outlets, ideally located in malls and shopping complexes. The government plans to increase the standard size of liquor shops from 300 sq ft to between 500 and 1000 sq ft. Retail margins per bottle are also set to rise, from Rs 50 for Indian Made Foreign Liquor to a higher amount, and from Rs 100 for imported alcohol. This move is expected to encourage retailers to stock premium and diverse products, rather than focusing on cheaper options. The policy will continue to restrict liquor retail to four government corporations, excluding private players. The new policy is expected to be cleared by the excise committee soon, followed by review from the Finance and Planning departments before being sent to the Cabinet for final approval. The existing policy remains in force until March 2026.
