The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has launched training to equip anyone delivering alcohol with tools to deny delivery where necessary, including communication techniques for handling tricky situations, with Deliveroo and Gorillas the latest quick commerce firms to sign up.
The global partnership was established to prevent sale to minors, reduce harmful drinking among adults, and help ensure alcohol is delivered only to recipients in accordance with local or national laws and regulations.
Henry Ashworth, IARD President and CEO, said: “The way people purchase alcohol beverages is shifting, with rapid growth in online delivery services. IARD member companies are determined to play their part in ensuring that delivery drivers are confident and comfortable when handing over alcohol beverages. Training tools are crucial to support frontline agents and IARD’s new training resource uses lessons from traditional sales environments to empower them to deny delivery where necessary.
“We are delighted that Deliveroo and Gorillas are joining forces with leading beer, wine and spirts companies, online retailers, and other leading ecommerce platforms worldwide to prevent the sale and delivery of alcohol to minors and to reduce harmful drinking among adults. We urge others to become part of the alliance.”
A core element of delivering alcohol lawfully and responsible to adults who choose to drink is to ensure frontline deliver agents are empowered and supported to deny delivery where necessary. IARD’s training tool is available in several languages and highlights the importance of refusing delivery in the following scenarios:
- Where valid ID cannot be produced when age is in question
- Where those of legal purchase age appear to be purchasing alcohol for minors
- Where recipients are knowingly intoxicated
The global standards aim to support the development of national in-country codes and practices for the online sale and delivery of alcohol, which build on local and national regulation. Retailers involved in the partnership are committed to put in place monitoring systems to measure compliance with the standards and have mechanisms so consumers can feed back.
Alexander Brunst, Gorillas’ global vice president corporate social responsibility, public affairs and sustainability, added: “As one of the leading quick commerce players, ensuring the highest standards of responsible business practices for our sector is an important focus for us. Through joining the IARD global standards we want to set a strong stance for a safe and appropriate shopping experience at every point of the customer journey – from the first purchase intent in our app and product selection, until the delivery is made to an appropriate recipient at the doorstep.”
