SOUTH AFRICA – Distell, producer and marketer of wines, ciders, spirit and ready-to-drinks beverages (RTDs) has launched Click2Collect platform, a web-based solution that will enable South Africans order alcoholic drinks from more than 22,000 taverns countrywide in a simpler and safer manner.

According to the beverage maker, the platform allows consumers to locate their nearest liquor outlet and place an order for payment on collection, of which the consumer books specific date and time for pick up.

Once an order is placed on the platform, the liquor outlet and consumer each receive confirmation via SMS, containing a link with the order details, ticket number and address of the pickup point.

On collection, consumers are required to show their confirmation with their ID as proof that they are over 18 years of age. 

Click2Collect allows orders to be collected from Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00, as per current Government liquor trading and consumption regulations with only 20 slots allocated per hour, making social distancing easier to maintain.

Although designed by Distell, it allows consumers to order any alcoholic beverage, including those offered by other producers.

Distell is first implementing a special pilot project in the Western Cape to test the platform to ensure quick, smooth and convenient user capability, said Wilson Khupe, Distell’s head of sales and distribution in Southern Africa.

“We are collaborating and working with selected taverns in the Western Cape, offering them support, educational content and tools. Importantly, we are also soliciting feedback from these taverns to tweak where necessary in order to deliver a best-in-class solution.

“Apart from the obvious benefits for consumers such as safety and convenience in obtaining their alcoholic beverages of choice, the system enables taverns to trade in a socially responsible manner, as well as allows access to data that will allow them to focus on what their patrons want and avoid the burden of unnecessary stock.

Khupe added that, “Distell is committed to assisting taverns, restaurants and other licenced establishments to continue trading responsibly, so they can generate an income, maintain staff and pay overheads during this challenging time.”

Lefa Mapilo, secretary of the Western Cape Liquor Traders Organisation, confirmed that the Click2Collect platform is a win-win for both legal liquor traders and their customers.

“Apart from the simple convenience it offers, it eases traffic to taverns as well as controls the number of customers visiting these taverns at a given time, with an important emphasis placed on the wearing of masks.

“Essentially, Click2Collect allows taverns to trade responsibly, helping these liquor outlets to keep their staff and customers safe. We are excited to be working with Distell on this initiative.”

Distell is renowned for household brands such as Amarula, Nederburg, Scottish Leader, Three Ships, Hunter’s, Savanna, 4th Street, Klipdrift and many other popular alcoholic drinks.

Other alcohol industry player in South Africa such as Heineken SA, Diageo and Pernod Ricard in partnership with Touchsides have launched the Hola Club Click & Collect platform that will facilitate online transactions between tavern owners and consumers.

The South African Breweries (SAB) has also launched its USSD cellphone based ordering platform called Firsti.

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