Liquor Sales Surge in Telangana Ahead of Dussehra
As the Dussehra festival approaches, liquor sales in Telangana are witnessing a significant surge. Shopkeepers have stocked up 25-50% more liquor in anticipation of high demand. With Rs 200 crore worth of liquor transferred in a single day and sales expected to double over the weekend, this article explores the details behind the rise in liquor consumption and stockpiling across the state.
Liquor Sales Surge in Telangana Ahead of Dussehra
In anticipation of high demand during the Dussehra festival, shopkeepers in Telangana have stocked up on liquor, increasing their inventories by 25 to 50 percent compared to normal times. The state, which has 2,620 liquor stores and over a thousand bars, clubs, and pubs, is witnessing a surge in sales. On Friday alone, official data shows that Rs 200 crore worth of liquor was transferred from stock excise depots to shops, bars, and pubs.
Huge Sales Over the Weekend
Typically, each store holds an average liquor stock valued between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. On regular days, daily sales range between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per store. However, the excise department predicts that liquor sales could double over the weekend, especially on Saturday and Sunday. The Telangana Wines Association reports that retailers have increased their stock by an additional Rs 10 lakh worth of liquor on average in preparation for the holiday rush.
Record Liquor Sales This Year
Official figures reveal a significant rise in liquor sales in Telangana this year. From January 1st to October 10th, 2.88 crore cases of liquor worth Rs 28,881.65 crore and 4.26 crore cases of beer were sold. In comparison, during the same period last year, 2.71 crore cases of liquor and 4.26 crore cases of beer, valued at Rs 27,529.49 crore, were sold. From October 1st to 11th alone, 10.44 lakh cases of liquor and 17.59 lakh cases of beer worth Rs 1,057.42 crore were sold, with 8.36 lakh cases of liquor and 14.53 lakh cases of beer sold by the 10th, totaling Rs 852.4 crore. On Friday, retailers brought in 2.08 lakh cases of liquor and 3.07 lakh cases of beer, valued at Rs 205.42 crore, from excise depots.
Hyderabad Sales Expected to Decline
Currently, Telangana’s 2,620 liquor stores and over a thousand bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs have approximately Rs 1,500 crore worth of liquor in stock. Typically, 70 percent of the liquor sold in the state is concentrated in Hyderabad and surrounding districts, while the remaining 30 percent is sold in other regions. However, with many residents of Hyderabad traveling to their hometowns for Dussehra celebrations, sales in the city and surrounding areas are expected to decline, while districts are likely to see an increase in liquor sales.
