IDRA 2026 Unveils Top Beverage Retailers in India
The India Drinks Retail Awards (IDRA) has announced its second edition winners for 2026, spotlighting the leading beverage retailers across the country. The prestigious awards ceremony was held on March 16, 2026, at Le Méridien in Gurgaon, bringing together key industry players, retailers, and brand partners to celebrate excellence in India's rapidly growing drinks retail sector.
Top Retailers and Award Highlights
According to IDRA, the top beverage retailers for 2026 include World of Wines, Tonique, The Liquor Fort, Hedonne, and House of Spirits. These outlets were recognized for their outstanding performance in enhancing consumer experiences and modernizing retail formats. The awards honored the Top 95 retail outlets across 12 cities in states permitting private alcohol sales, with 25 new entrants making their debut this year.
Special awards were also presented to notable contributors. Prashant Shokhanda of The Liquor Warehouse in Gurgaon received the 'Innovator of The Year' award for setting new benchmarks in alcohol retail. Vaz Enterprises from Goa, led by Wilson Vaz and his sons, was honored with the 'Industry Icon' award for their five-decade impact on Goa's retail landscape.
Evaluation Process and Criteria
The rankings were determined through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. Nominations were gathered from distributors, industry insiders, and retail experts in each city. Shortlisted outlets underwent on-ground assessments by the IDRA core team, followed by anonymous mystery visits by an independent jury.
Stores were judged against 25 parameters developed with retail experts, covering aspects such as:
- Product curation and availability across all alcohol categories
- Store layout, lighting, ambience, and ease of navigation
- Merchandising, product display, and storage conditions
- Staff grooming, knowledge, service quality, and hygiene
- Overall consumer experience and cleanliness
City-Wise Leaders and Notable Performers
Several retailers maintained their top positions from the previous year. World of Wines in Nariman Point, Mumbai, and Goa; The Whiskey Company in Guwahati; Hedonne in Kolkata; Tonique in Kalyani Nagar, Pune; and The Liquor Mart in Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, all retained their rankings. Tonique on MG Road continued to lead in Bengaluru, while House of Spirits topped Hyderabad and The Liquor Fort led in Gurgaon.
New entrant The Malt Room debuted at number one in Shillong, showcasing the dynamic nature of the industry. Other city leaders included The Liquor Warehouse in Gurgaon and various outlets in Pune, Noida, Lucknow, and Kolkata.
Industry Insights and Future Outlook
Vikram Achanta, Co-founder of IDRA and 30 Best Bars India, commented, "This year, we observed veteran retailers holding their ground amidst increasing competition. However, the entry of new retailers indicates that standards in alcohol retail are rising rapidly across India."
Radhakrishnan Nair, Co-founder, added, "Alcohol retail in India operates under complex state regulations. We are seeing retailers invest more in store formats, product ranges, and consumer experiences. IDRA aims to recognize these efforts and encourage a shift towards modern, consumer-focused retail."
Vinay Golikeri, Managing Director of Bacardi India & Southeast Asia, noted, "India's alcohol retail is at a growth inflection point, driven by premiumization and consumer demand for immersive experiences. Retailers are elevating their offerings to meet modern expectations."
Anirudh Singhal, Founder of SpeedX, emphasized the role of retail in shaping consumer relationships with alcohol, while Rohit Guleria of United Breweries Limited highlighted the importance of collaboration between brands and retailers for category growth.
Anchal Kaushal, VP of Customer Marketing at Diageo India, stated, "Retail partners are crucial for brand connections. We work with them to enhance consumer journeys through best practices in retail theatre and premium formats."
About IDRA
The India Drinks Retail Awards is an initiative by 30 Best Bars India, dedicated to championing excellence in alcohol beverage retail through recognition and inspiration. It evaluates retailers based on sales, product assortment, and consumer experience creation, aiming to transform the industry towards higher standards.
