In a development that is sure to grab attention, women now account for more than 50% of the workforce at Kerala State Beverages Corporation (<keyword id="21105310" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BEVCO" source="keywords">BEVCO</keyword>), the state-run liquor retail chain. This can be looked upon as a significant shift in societal norms, as women take up roles traditionally dominated by men in India's first known instance of women working as sales staff in liquor outlets. One of these women workers, Leena, who has been a salesperson at a BEVCO store in <keyword id="19897366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thiruvananthapuram" source="keywords">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword> for two years, initially had reservations about the job. "Initially, I was very worried, as we all considered it a problem. But after six months of working, I started enjoying the job, and we hardly encountered any problems," she told PTI. This progress wasn't without its challenges. Many women and their families were hesitant about working in liquor outlets, but it was the women themselves who fought for the right to be employed at BEVCO. "Ten years ago, women went to court and won their rights to work in BEVCO. Earlier, women were not recruited to work in liquor outlets, and the court directed the government to recruit women as well. Now women comprise more than 50 per cent of our workforce," said <keyword id="23234806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harshita-attaluri" source="keywords">Harshita Attaluri</keyword>, Managing Director of KSBC in a statement to PTI. "If there are any complaints of misbehaviour from the side of the consumers, we immediately respond and police take action," Attaluri added. This change also reflects broader societal patterns in Kerala, where women make up more than half of the population. Despite initial concerns about long working hours, most of the women working in BEVCO stores report positive experiences with customers. "Our only problem is the long working hours. But any other job would have its own challenges," shared Sangeetha, another salesperson. "We find most of the customers who come to our outlets as friendly and cooperative," she added. She also revealed how her family is now her biggest supporter. "My husband is my biggest support and encourages me to work. This is a safer place to work," she said. Shop managers have also noted a positive shift in customer behavior with women behind the counter. Ashok, who manages a BEVCO store in Pattam, Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI, "With women at the sales counter, there is a marked improvement in consumer behaviour. When they see women at the counter, they are more gentle and well-behaved." The success of women in BEVCO has encouraged more women to apply for jobs through competitive exams. Women are not only working in sales but are also placed in administrative roles and warehouses. The corporation’s leadership reflects this shift as well, with a female Managing Director and a woman overseeing operations as Assistant General Manager (AGM). (With PTI inputs)

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

Kolkata, May 6 () The West Bengal government onWednesday allowed home delivery of liquor and the StateBeverages Corporation (BEVCO) launched a website throughwhich people over 21 years of age can place orders.The move was aimed at avoiding large gatherings atstandalone 'OFF' shops which reopened on Monday, industrysources said.Customers can place orders through the websitehttps://excise.wb.gov.in/eRetail/Page/eRetail_Login.aspx afterregistering themselves by providing necessary details such asaddress and mobile number, among others.After registration they can order liquor from thedesignated stores that are on the website.Liquor worth over Rs 100 crore was sold in the firsttwo days of reopening of the shops, said Sushmita Mukherjee,the assistant secretary of West Bengal ON, OFF, CS, and HotelOwners Association.She said that while 70 per cent 'OFF' shops remainedopen in the first two days, it came down to 50 per cent onWednesday.Many shops could not remain open for the entirestipulated time -- 12 pm to 7 pm -- as they ran out of stock,she said.The state government has allowed liquor shops toreopen in green, red and orange zones, except for thoselocated in the containment areas.Unlike the first day, crowds outside liquor shops were"under control" on the two subsequent days, Mukherjee said.The state registered liquor sales of around Rs 30crore on Wednesday, she added.Before West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Punjabgovernments allowed home delivery of alcoholic drinks. DCSOMSK SK

Bengal allows home delivery of liquor, BEVCO launches website for ordering

New Delhi, The board of directors of <keyword id="11924371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varun-Beverages" source="Orion">Varun Beverages</keyword> has approved to acquire 100 per cent stake in the business conducted by The Beverage Company (Proprietary) Limited, South Africa along-with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Bevco is engaged in the business of manufacturing and distribution of licensed (PepsiCo Inc.) / own-branded non-alcoholic beverages in South Africa. Bevco has franchise rights from PepsiCo Inc. in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. Further, it also has distribution rights for Namibia and Botswana. The acquisition will enable VBL to expand its geographical footprint in Africa. The proposed transaction at an enterprise level is valued at Rs 13.2 billion. The company with an option to accept minority coinvestment from large equity fund intends to hold 100 per cent of the Equity Share Capital of Bevco along with its subsidiaries Bevco is engaged in the business of manufacturing and distribution of licensed (PepsiCo Inc.) / ownbranded non-alcoholic beverages in South Africa. Bevco has franchise rights from PepsiCo Inc. in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. Further, it also has distribution rights for Namibia and Botswana. Bevco achieved sales volumes of 117 million 8oz cases in FY23.

Varun Beverages to acquire Pepsico's South African bottler for Rs 1,320cr

E-commerce giant Amazon and Alibaba-backed <keyword id="964794" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BigBasket">BigBasket</keyword> have got approval to deliver liquor in West Bengal, according to a document. Online grocery platform BigBasket said this will be the company's first foray into the country's liquor delivery segment. The clearance also signals Amazon's entry into the space, likely for the first in India. State-owned West Bengal State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BevCo) invited the two companies to sign the agreements for empanelment for home delivery after finding them eligible, as per a notice dated June 19. BevCo, the sole wholesaler of liquor in West Bengal, also invited two Kolkata-based companies -- Senrysa Technologies Pvt Ltd and Golden Goenka Commerce Pvt Ltd for the signing of agreements. Asked when BigBasket would start operations, its CEO Hari Menon told PTI, "I cannot confirm now how soon we will start, but yes it will be the first for the company." Amazon did not comment on the approval. Food ordering platforms <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> and <keyword id="6358977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy">Swiggy</keyword> have already started delivering alcohol in West Bengal with Kolkata and Siliguri after getting the required approvals, followed by the signing of agreements. Retailer Spencer's and HipBar have also joined the fray as the government allowed <keyword id="9025707" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-delivery-of-alcohol">home delivery of alcohol</keyword> to reduce footfall at stores amid the coronavirus outbreak. Another eight lesser-known companies, who expressed interest in alcohol delivery, have been asked by BevCo to demonstrate the capabilities of their platforms in executing online orders. Jharkhand was the first state in the country to allow home delivery of liquor by online platforms.

After Zomato and Swiggy, Amazon and Alibaba-backed BigBasket clearance to home deliver liquor in West Bengal

Kolkata, May 13 () Most of the 'OFF' liquor shopslocated across West Bengal remained closed on Wednesday owingto lack of stock, an official of a licensees' associationsaid.Although the manufacturers were allowed to resumeoperations in the state, the production volume was affecteddue to less workforce being deployed at the units to meet withthe lockdown norms, he said.The official of West Bengal Foreign LiquorManufacturers, Vendors and Wholesalers Association said thatit will take time may be more than a month - for thesituation to normalise.Owing to the imposition of 30 per cent sales tax onthe MRP by the government, the manufacturers working capitalrequirements have increased, for which there is no policyeither from the government or banks.The government has allowed home delivery of liquor tothose ordering online, but the response is still tepid due topoor stock available with the BEVCO, the state governmentwarehouse for stocking liquor."We hope things will be better once supplies improve",he said. dcNN NN

No stock; most liquor shops in Bengal shut

Kolkata, May 11 () Off-shop liquor licensees inWest Bengal on Monday said they are planning to meet the stateexcise commissioner as most outlets that were allowed toreopen during the lockdown have downed their shutters afterrunning out of stock.The licensees have started facing problems related tostock, an official of the West Bengal Foreign Liquor, Bondersand Wholesalers Association said."Most off-shops remained closed in the city and indistricts as they are running out of stock. To discuss thisproblem and other issues, We wish to meet the excisecommissioner and apprise him of the ground realities," theofficial of the licensees' body told on condition ofanonymity.Less than 30 per cent of outlets across the stateopened on Monday.The increase in number of containment zones in Kolkatahas also led to closure of many outlets in the city, he said."Sales of liquor have plummeted in the state. Theretailers work on a percentage. If the situation continueslike this, we will perish," the official of theassociation said.Following imposition of 30 per cent sales tax,manufacturers have also been taking time to supply liquorbottles with new MRP to warehouses of the West Bengal StateBeverages Corporation (BEVCO), he said.It would take time for situation to normalise, hesaid."The entire supply chain from manufacturers to BEVCOand then to retailers will have to be developed again," theofficial said.After a long gap due to the lockdown, manufacturershad started production only three days ago, he claimed. dcBDC BDC

Off-shop liquor licensees in Bengal plan to meet excise commissioner amid dwindling stock

Kolkata, May 10 () Off-shop liquor licensees inWest Bengal on Sunday said most outlets that were allowed toreopen during the lockdown have downed their shutters afterrunning out of stock.The West Bengal government took the decision to reopenthe shops in red, green and orange zones, barring thecontainment areas, but there was inadequate backend supportfor logistics, they alleged.A former office bearer of the West Bengal ForeignLiquor Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Bonders Association told that the shops generally keep three to four days of stock."Due to inadequate logistics support, replenishment ofstock is not taking placce and scattered sales are reportedacross the state. The situation is absolutely chaotic," hesaid, adding that manufacturing of spirits and beer in state'sdistilleries and breweries had started only two days back.Following imposition of 30 per cent sales tax,companies have also been taking time to supply liquor bottleswith new MRP to warehouses of the West Bengal State BeveragesCorporation (BEVCO), he said."This also creates problem in the supplies of liquorto the shops. The entire supply chain is disturbed," theformer official of the licensees' body said.Of around 500 shops in the city, roughly 50 remainedopen in the last two days, he said, adding that the scenariois "more or less the same in other parts of the state"."I think the problem will persist for another 45 daysbefore the supply chain gets normal," said a present officebearer of the association.Most orders are being placed for 750 ml bottles whiledemand for lower quantities is less in both offline and onlinesegments, he said.Owing to hefty increase in MRP, bottles of upscaleliquor brands are not sold much, the official said.He said only 30 per cent of the liquor shop ownersacross the state were able to keep their outlets open.An official of the liquor shop and hotel owners'association said almost all the shops were closed on Saturdayand sales were "negligible since Friday"."Some sales are happening online, but the response ispoor," she said. There are around 3,500 liquor shops in the state, sheadded. dc BDC RBTBDC BDC

Liquor outlets in Bengal run out stock, down shutters

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56164c6cdd0895be1a8b45b7-2450-1837/gettyimages-455488264.jpg" alt="In this photo illustration, bottles of Miller Lite and Bud Light beer that are products of SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev (respectively) are shown on September 15, 2014 in Chicago. Illinois. Shares of SABMiller have surged to an all-time high today on speculation of a takeover bid by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer. (Photo Illustration by )" data-mce-source="Scott Olson/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="SABMiller makes Miller Lite, while AB InBev owns Bud Light beer." />Scott Olson/Getty ImagesSABMiller makes Miller Lite, while AB InBev owns Bud Light beer.</div></div></div>The battle to <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/sabmiller-shares-just-leap-23-on-abinbev-confirmation-of-approach-2015-9">create a $250 billion global brewing giant that controls a third of the world's beer</a> is getting fierce.AB InBev, the US-Belgian brewing giant behind beers like Budweiser and Corona, made a £<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/anheuser-busch-inbev-bids-68-billion-or-sabmiller-2015-10">68 billion bid for London-listed rival SABMiller on Wednesday</a>, only to have the offer <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/anheuser-busch-inbev-bids-68-billion-or-sabmiller-2015-10">thrown back in its face</a>.The board of SABMiller, which makes beers like Peroni and Grolsch, said the bid "substantially undervalues" the company.AB InBev has <a href="http://www.investegate.co.uk/anheuser-busch-inbev--92pg-/rns/response-to-sabmiller-announcement/201510081020456546B/">shot back on Thursday</a> saying the rejection "lacks credibility." The company argues that the bid is more than fair, given it's a 44% above SABMiller's share price in mid-September when <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/sabmiller-shares-just-leap-23-on-abinbev-confirmation-of-approach-2015-9">takeover talks were first made public</a>.AB InBev also points out that SAB's biggest shareholder Altira, which owns 27% of the company, supports the bid.Now Carlos Brito, AB InBev's CEO, is calling on SAB's shareholders to rise up and put pressure on SAB to engage.Here's Brito:Notwithstanding our good faith efforts, the Board of SABMiller has refused to meaningfully engage with us. Our proposal creates significant value for everybody. How long will it be before shareholders see a value of over GBP 42 in the absence of an offer from AB InBev? If shareholders agree that we should be in proper discussions, they should voice their views and should not allow the Board of SABMiller to frustrate this process and let this opportunity slip away.In a note on Thursday morning German investment bank Berenberg has characterised this approach as going "hostile lite," referencing SABMiller's Miller Lite beer.Analysts Javier Gonzalez Lastra and Adam Mizrahi say:In his US conference call, Mr Brito appealed to SABMiller's minority shareholders to voice their view to the board, which could be interpreted as a "hostile lite" approach (despite ABInBev having stressed its desire to gain the recommendation from the SABMiller board). If ABInBev does indeed have the support of both Altria and Bevco, which combined account for 41% of SABMiller's equity, it would appear natural that there is some probability that ABInBev eventually goes hostile.The consensus in the City is that the deal will eventually get done. AB InBev <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/ab-inbev-and-sabmillers-global-footprints-compared-2015-10">desperately needs SABMiller for its growth potential</a>, while SAB is facing increasing pressure from its own shareholders.In a separate note on Thursday, RBC Capital Markets says it expects a final deal to be struck at £44 a share, compared to the current offer of £42.15. Not far to go. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/more-attractive-man-science-image-2015-9">Scientifically proven things men can do to be more attractive</a></h3> <div> <div> <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="FrMW11bDpOHYdYbuWMGNvmFNMW6eWufV" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> <script> if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; } RunFunctions.push(function() { var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'FrMW11bDpOHYdYbuWMGNvmFNMW6eWufV',{ autoplay: 'false' }); }); </script> <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div> </div> <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script> </div>

You Searched For "BEVCO" and got 8 results

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

BI India Bureau

Bengal allows home delivery of liquor, BEVCO launches website for ordering

PTI

Varun Beverages to acquire Pepsico's South African bottler for Rs 1,320cr

IANS

After Zomato and Swiggy, Amazon and Alibaba-backed BigBasket clearance to home deliver liquor in West Bengal

PTI

No stock; most liquor shops in Bengal shut

PTI

Off-shop liquor licensees in Bengal plan to meet excise commissioner amid dwindling stock

PTI

Liquor outlets in Bengal run out stock, down shutters

PTI

The £68 billion battle for brewer SABMiller is going 'hostile lite'

Oscar Williams-Grut

You Searched For "BEVCO" and got 8 results

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

BI India Bureau

Bengal allows home delivery of liquor, BEVCO launches website for ordering

PTI

Varun Beverages to acquire Pepsico's South African bottler for Rs 1,320cr

IANS

After Zomato and Swiggy, Amazon and Alibaba-backed BigBasket clearance to home deliver liquor in West Bengal

PTI

No stock; most liquor shops in Bengal shut

PTI

Off-shop liquor licensees in Bengal plan to meet excise commissioner amid dwindling stock

PTI

Liquor outlets in Bengal run out stock, down shutters

PTI

The &#163;68 billion battle for brewer SABMiller is going 'hostile lite'

Oscar Williams-Grut

The £68 billion battle for brewer SABMiller is going 'hostile lite'