Ahold Delhaize's online platform Bol.com is to commence the sale of wine, spirits and specialty beers, with a verified age check to take place upon delivery to ensure the purchaser is above 18 years of age.
According to news portal ad.nl, the group plans to work with a number of partners, including Belgian Beer Factory and Tasting Collection, to offer a wide range of products to customers, as well as selling products that are already available through Ahold Delhaize's Gall & Gall and Albert Heijn branches.
"All partners already have extensive experience in selling and supplying drinks and, together with their carriers, will ensure compliance with age controls," a statement from the retailer said.
Increased Availability
However, the Nederlands Instituut voor Alcoholbeleid STAP, which seeks to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and overconsumption, has described the move as "not good news", saying that any initiatives that increase the availability of alcohol goes against government policy.
"We already have around 70,000 to 80,000 physical sales points and online sales are still growing," commented Wim van Dalen, director, Nederlands Instituut voor Alcoholbeleid STAP.
In July, Bol.com announced plans to double its warehouse capacity from 50,000 to 100,000 square metres, with 100 jobs set to be created between the expansion of the warehouse in Waalwijk and the bol.com offices in Utrecht in the Netherlands.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
