New Delhi: As part of Delhi govt’s plans to modernise retail liquor vends to enhance consumer experience, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC), which runs one of the largest networks of retail liquor stores in the city, drew up plans to modernise select vends in high-footfall areas such as Panchkuian Road, Dwarka, INA, Yusuf Sarai Market and Janakpuri. The revamped outlets will introduce a walk-in facility and improve the overall consumer experience while purchasing liquor, officials said.The first set of vends is spread across Panchkuian Road, East Baldev Park, Uttam Nagar and Janakpuri, besides some located in industrial or market hubs.“We will get 2D concept redesigns made by an agency which will be hired soon. The agency will provide us a minimum of two design options per store, along with project management consultancy services. We want to work on store layout optimisation, improved shelving, better lighting, clear product zoning, upgraded billing counters and back-end storage planning, tailored to the size of each outlet,” said an official.The agency floated a tender for it. The size of each selected outlet ranges from 750 sq ft to nearly 1,800 sq ft.According to govt’s plans, the operational stores will also be retrofitted rather than rebuilt, bringing uniform branding, smoother customer flow and compliance with safety and excise norms.Since late 2022, when the excise policy controversy erupted, Delhi allowed only govt-run corporations to operate retail liquor stores, ending the role of private players in liquor retail. The move aimed at tightening oversight and ensuring transparency in pricing and operations.The capital currently has over 700 retail liquor stores, which are run by four different govt corporations — DSCSC, Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).An official said the modernisation is being stressed because when the govt comes up with the new excise policy, the govt-run corporations will only run the retail liquor stores. “In such a situation, govt outlets have to improve infrastructure and consumer experience through modernisation,” the official added.
