News: Pantaloon-Diageo mull tie-up
(NDTV 11/08/2006) Mumbai - Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker - This seems to be the motto for big department stores planning to sell booze over the counter and the man behind the idea as usual is Indian retail's biggest name, Kishore Biyani.
Biyani's Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar stores will now stock brews and spirits.
The Pantaloon Group is talking to Diageo to retail its famous brands Smirnoff vodka, Guinness beer, Johnnie Walker and J&B whisky and Tanqueray, Cuervo, Baileys and Captain Morgan.
"This is about offering more options to our customers. We are also talking to other companies," said Damodar Mall, President, Food Business Division, Pantaloon Retail India.
Liberal norms
Karnataka has more liberal liquor retailing norms than other states. So the initiative will start in Bangalore initially and then rollout to other cities as Pantaloon gets regulatory clearances.
"We are in talks with Pantaloon and other retail companies. We will also be getting more brands into India from the parent portfolio," said Asif Adil, MD, Diageo India.
After chai and samosa, Kishore Biyani is gearing up to serve something hard and it's nothing less than JW whisky and Smirnoff vodka. Though there are regulatory hurdles, the group says it's not impossible.
While it is more to do with distribution for international liquor companies, for Biyani, it is about offering choice to his customers.
Biyani's Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar stores will now stock brews and spirits.
The Pantaloon Group is talking to Diageo to retail its famous brands Smirnoff vodka, Guinness beer, Johnnie Walker and J&B whisky and Tanqueray, Cuervo, Baileys and Captain Morgan.
"This is about offering more options to our customers. We are also talking to other companies," said Damodar Mall, President, Food Business Division, Pantaloon Retail India.
Liberal norms
Karnataka has more liberal liquor retailing norms than other states. So the initiative will start in Bangalore initially and then rollout to other cities as Pantaloon gets regulatory clearances.
"We are in talks with Pantaloon and other retail companies. We will also be getting more brands into India from the parent portfolio," said Asif Adil, MD, Diageo India.
After chai and samosa, Kishore Biyani is gearing up to serve something hard and it's nothing less than JW whisky and Smirnoff vodka. Though there are regulatory hurdles, the group says it's not impossible.
While it is more to do with distribution for international liquor companies, for Biyani, it is about offering choice to his customers.
posted by InCar Group Press Room at 00:24
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