The 12 global beer, wine and spirits companies that comprise the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) have joined forces with 12 global and regional online retailers, e-commerce sites and delivery platforms to form the partnership.

Companies involved in the alliance include the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group, Uber Eats, Hip Bar in India, Jumia in Africa and jd.com in China, to name a few.

As a ‘world first’, the coalition will work to develop and enhance safeguards to protect minors from online alcohol sales and deliveries, and reduce harmful drinking among adults.

Albert Baladi, president and CEO of Beam Suntory and chair of IARD CEO Group, said: “By building on safeguards that have already proven effective in certain countries and sharing new solutions and best practices, we can raise standards globally, from the point of purchase through to delivery.

“We encourage others to join this global collaboration, the first of its kind.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a spike in online sales due to lockdowns that have been imposed worldwide.

The value of e-commerce in 10 core countries is thought to have grown by more than 40% in 2020, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

The alliance will put mechanisms in place to prevent alcoholic beverages being delivered to minors or adults showing ‘visible signs’ in intoxication.

Furthermore, the alliance will promote global standards as a resource to support in-country codes and practices for safe online alcohol sale and delivery services.

Henry Ashworth, IARD president and CEO, added: “This partnership marks a ground-breaking coalition to develop global standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol.

“IARD is proud to be uniting the world’s leading drinks producers with leading online retailers, and e-commerce platforms in raising global standards of responsibility. In coming together, we believe the partnership can facilitate greater change across our wider sectors.”

Source:
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2021/01/global-alliance-unites-for-safe-online-alcohol-sales/