If you’re traveling from Delhi, airport duty-free shops offer great deals on alcohol and cigarettes. Once past immigration counters, these shops also carry exclusive products not sold domestically.
However, since Manish Sisodia reversed the Excise Policy on July 30th, Delhi’s private booze stores have urgently rushed to stock up. This has resulted in shortages being experienced at private liquor outlets.
Brands available
Delhi has many famous brands, including American Eagle, Superdry Sport, AE Jeans, Under Armour, Ancestry Arrow, Desigual Forever 21, Jack & Jones, and Marks & Spencer. Additionally, it provides Indian ethnic wear and wedding jewelry and electronics, shoes, and accessories from popular sellers such as Lajpat Nagar and Chandni Chowk – some of the best places for shopping.
Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market is an expansive, chaotic market known for its wide selection of items. Different sections specialize in specific niches – Asia’s largest spice market is here, while wedding apparel shops abound, too! Despite its chaotic surroundings, Old Delhi remains one of the city’s top shopping spots!
Chandni Chowk offers more than its fair share of Indian and Western retailers; it is also home to an assortment of specialty shops. One such specialty store is the BIBA clothing store, which carries designer suits and lehengas for women and girls; Meena Bindra founded it with over 200 multi-brand outlets and 150 brand outlets throughout India, and it is available online.
Sarojini Market in Delhi is another fantastic shopping spot, boasting an expansive street market packed with treasures and bargains at unbeatably low prices. Here, it is possible to find clothing or an entire wardrobe at an unbeatably competitive cost, but be warned: spending some time exploring its narrow aisles may require patience but will surely pay off with unique finds!
Beer lovers in Delhi are now facing shortages due to the government’s refusal to grant liquor distribution licenses to three companies, such as Pernod Ricard’s brands like Chivas Regal and Absolut vodka not being available due to ongoing investigations into corruption allegations; Pernod Ricard has stated it intends to fight this decision further and fights it vigorously.
A senior excise official disproved allegations of a beer shortage by explaining that low stocks were due to limited warehousing space and because state laws require beer producers to prioritize local demand to protect taxes. He further mentioned that their corporation had placed tenders for refrigerators, so the beer should soon return to shelves.
Taxes
When purchasing alcohol in Delhi, be wary of taxes applicable. The government of Delhi has instituted a 70% special Corona fee on imported liquor to help reduce queues outside liquor shops; some have heavily criticized this new charge, and some even consider it as an attempt by officials to loot consumers, while the government claims that this measure is in place to combat smuggling and illegal trading of booze.
Liquor shop licenses in Delhi can be obtained from the Commissioner of Excise. These licenses can be issued to companies, partnerships, cooperative societies, and sole proprietorships and are valid for two years; an annual license fee of Rs 8 Million must also be paid annually by holders if their premises are on rent; otherwise, a NOC from local police authorities will also be necessary.
To apply for a liquor shop license, applicants must file an extensive application with the Deputy Commissioner of Excise. This application should include copies of relevant documents, including lease agreements if renting premises, list of partners, partnership deed, partnership agreement, and registration with the Trademark Act.
Liquor shop owners must be residents of India or provide evidence of their residency in Delhi if they are non-citizens. Furthermore, local authorities will need a trade license from them before operating a liquor shop.
Owners of liquor shops in Delhi must abide by local and state excise laws and secure a liquor bar license from the state to maximize sales and profits and compete effectively with other bars and restaurants within their community.
