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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Contract renewed, but little stock: Delhi airport's liquor outlet running dry
Customers looking to buy alcohol at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi continue to return empty-handed. Even as the contract of the only liquor outlet at the airport — located at the arrival section of Terminal 3, which caters to both domestic and international travellers — was extended earlier this month, it has been facing revenue losses due to a shortage of stock for around three months, said sources. Highlighting the issue, authorities at the airport have once again written to the Delhi Consumers' Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd (DCCWS), which operates the liquor shop. 'Request you to intervene in getting the stock replenished at the earliest,' their email read. Stock hasn't been replenished since March, claimed officials. The DCCWS general manager did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. An official from the DCCWS said, 'This was the first time DCCWS was operating a shop at the airport, and certain issues kept cropping up. The contract was also ending. A lot of permissions had to be taken to renew the contract. But everything is sorted now and the contract has been renewed for two years… We will start taking fresh orders tomorrow morning, and new stock will arrive by afternoon.' A source said, 'A huge revenue loss is being faced due to the lack of liquor at the shop… The shop is at an international airport, and a large number of people come to purchase liquor from here…' Airport authorities had earlier written to the DCCWS in May, raising the issue of a dip in daily average in sales from Rs 3.04 lakh in January to Rs 2.20 lakh in May. In February, daily average sales dipped to Rs 2.71 lakh but picked up in March when the stocks were refilled, generating Rs 3.52 lakh daily, said officials. The shop reopened almost two years after it was shut following the probe by investigating agencies, including the CBI, into the now-scrapped excise policy 2021-22 of the Delhi government. The walk-in store, with self-service, operates 24×7. The contract ended on June 6, and it has been renewed for two years, said officials.
News18
20-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Duty-Free Liquor Shop At Delhi Airport Sees Sharp Drop In Sales Amid Shortage, Staff Woes
Last Updated: The liquor outlet, operated by the Delhi Consumer Co-operative Wholesale Store Limited (DCCWS), has become the centre of concern for airport authorities. Once considered a glittering attraction for travellers passing through the country's busiest airport, the iconic liquor shop at Terminal 3 of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is now grappling with an uncharacteristic lull. With dwindling sales, persistent stock shortages, and a staff crunch, what was once a vibrant, round-the-clock destination for premium spirits has fallen into a phase of quiet decline. The liquor outlet, operated by the Delhi Consumer Co-operative Wholesale Store Limited (DCCWS), has become the centre of concern for airport authorities. A recent internal email from the airport management to DCCWS reportedly expressed sharp dissatisfaction over operational lapses that have plagued the shop for the past two months. The biggest blow, according to sources, has been the recurring shortage of stock – with liquor bottles of renowned global brands often missing from shelves, leaving customers frustrated and empty-handed. 'Sales have nosedived, and we've been struggling to maintain even basic inventory," said a source familiar with the matter. This slump is evident in the numbers: the shop's average daily sales dropped from Rs 3.04 lakh in January to just Rs 2.20 lakh by May. A brief resurgence in March, when sales spiked to Rs 3.52 lakh, has not been sustained, pointing to deeper operational issues. Further compounding the crisis is a critical shortage of staff due to delays in renewing Airport Entry Passes (AEPs). The failure to process employee passes on time has meant that fewer workers are available to run daily operations – an issue so severe that the shop was forced to shut its doors entirely for several days earlier this month. A notice posted outside the store during that period attributed the closure directly to the lack of valid staff entry passes, drawing murmurs of concern from travellers and frequent flyers alike. An official from the Excise Department confirmed that while the issue surrounding the AEPs has since been addressed, the overall health of the outlet remains fragile. 'There's still a long way to go before we're back to normal," the official said. This liquor store, unique for its 24×7 availability and access to both domestic and international travellers, occupies a premium spot in Terminal 3 – a hub for some of the world's most frequented international flight routes. Not only does it offer duty-free-like pricing, but its curated selection of high-end spirits has historically made it a sought-after stop for many passengers. Its reputation took a temporary hit when the shop was shuttered during a CBI probe following the cancellation of Delhi's 2021–22 liquor policy. After reopening last year, it seemed poised for a revival. But now, the same outlet finds itself in jeopardy once again – not from legal scrutiny, but from logistical mismanagement. With summer travel peaking and footfall at Delhi Airport returning to pre-pandemic levels, airport authorities have urged DCCWS to act swiftly. 'The shop has the potential to be a star attraction again, but only if the basic issues of supply and staffing are resolved without further delay," one official noted. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 20, 2025, 17:13 IST
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Travellers at Delhi Airport's Terminal 3 may not find their choice of liquor at its outlet. Here's why
The liquor shop at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport's Terminal 3, located in the arrivals section, has run into problems — sales are low, there are operational issues, and there's poor stock. Delhi Airport authorities have flagged these issues to the Delhi Consumer's Co-operative Wholesale Store Limited (DCCWS), which operates the liquor shop, sources said. In an email to DCCWS, the airport authority also highlighted that the ongoing 'operational issue' and restricted entry of staff have affected customer experience. 'This is to bring to your notice that for the past two months, the store has been facing operational challenges — stock issues… leading to loss of business… Staff airport entry issues are also leading to inadequate manpower at stores, leading to inconsistent customer experience,' said officials. The Excise Commissioner did not respond to messages and calls. Sources said that the liquor outlet was shut for a few days earlier this month due to the staff entry issues, and a note was posted outside the store saying, 'The store's sales have been stopped due to the lack of staff passes.' 'The entry pass/identity card of staff who work at the liquor shop was not renewed, due to which the shop was closed for a couple of days. But, the issue was resolved later,' an official from the Excise department had said then. The airport also highlighted a drop in the daily average sales due to operational challenges. According to data, the daily average sale was Rs 3.04 lakh in January, which dropped to Rs 2.20 lakh in May. The data shows that the daily average sales went down in February to Rs 2.71 lakh but picked up in March, generating Rs 3.52 lakh daily. But it dropped in the following months. 'We must appreciate the fact that when the store was open, it created a lot of buzz… at the Delhi airport… We request you to kindly intervene and resolve the issue immediately,' read the communication. This liquor shop at T3 is the only such store, and was reopened almost two years after it was shut following the investigations and probe by investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), into the now-scrapped 2021-22 liquor policy. The shop was reopened last year under the currently implemented excise regime. It is the only duty-free liquor store that caters to domestic and international travellers. The walk-in store, with self-service, was reopened last year under the DCCWS and operates 24×7. Sources said that the contract of the liquor shop will expire on June 6. Following the scrapping of the old liquor policy, Delhi has only government-run liquor stores. There are four corporations — DCCWS, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited — which run these shops across the city.
