Picking up a bottle of wine from your nearest hypermart or shopping outlet already sounds like a great convenience. And now to make that experience even easier, the Uttar Pradesh excise department has relaxed norms for liquor sales in such hypermarkets and multi-retail shopping outlets within malls. A move aimed at boosting revenue, let’s take a look at the relaxed norms and how it will boost economic growth in the state.
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) excise department has relaxed norms for the sale of alcoholic beverages through hypermarts and multi-retail shopping outlets operating within malls. This move has been implemented to boost revenue amid sluggish market conditions.
The revised framework permits the sale of low-alcohol beverages, including beer and wine, from retail counters within malls where premium liquor vends are already operational. Officials have stated that both mild and strong beer, in bottles as well as cans, can be sold through these outlets. Additionally, different categories of wine and other low-alcohol beverages would be allowed for sale through these outlets.
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Another highlight of the revised framework is that the mall management and retail operators will now have the flexibility to decide the amount of space allocated for alcoholic beverages. The earlier provisions had mandated dedicated display space for liquor brands inside malls, under which many retailers were reportedly discouraged to apply for licenses.
Excise Commissioner Adarsh Singh said that the final decision regarding shelf space allocation would lie in the hands of the mall management. He also expressed optimism about the new relaxed, revised framework that he’s sure would encourage more retailers to apply for licenses.
The new framework would apply to malls with a minimum plinth area of 10,000 sq ft. It is expected to benefit operators in big cities in UP such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, and Varanasi.
Officials have also stated that the license fee for operating such retail counters has been fixed at INR 5 lakh. This amount is significantly lower than the INR 25 lakh fee required for premium retail liquor vends. This price drop makes it an outstanding factor for a more commercially viable option for vendors.
Also Read: Chandigarh Excise Policy 2026-27: Liquor Prices Set For Marginal Hike From April 1
While the state government had introduced provisions for liquor sale in shopping marts in malls starting in 2020, it has now eased its framework to encourage more store owners and mall managements to consider applying for licenses. The new framework has also reduced the license fee drastically to attract more retailers.
