Chennai: Liquor consumers in Tamil Nadu may now have better access to their preferred brands as the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has introduced a demand-based liquor supply system across its retail network. The revised system came into effect on Monday and replaces the uniform stock distribution mechanism implemented earlier this year.
Under the new arrangement, liquor stocks will be supplied to individual TASMAC outlets based on their sales patterns, local consumer demand and stock requirements. Shop-level requests will be assessed before supplies are dispatched, allowing outlets to receive larger quantities of products that sell faster in their respective markets.
Tamil Nadu has nearly 4,000 TASMAC liquor outlets across the state. Previously, the state-run retailer procured brandy, whisky and other spirits from 11 companies, while beer was sourced from seven manufacturers. Following the change in procurement policy after the new government assumed office, TASMAC had introduced a system under which liquor was procured in equal quantities from approved manufacturers and products from each company were distributed uniformly across retail outlets.
The equal-distribution system was implemented from July 20, but differences in local consumption patterns reportedly created supply imbalances at several outlets. While some popular brands frequently went out of stock, products with relatively lower demand accumulated on shelves and in warehouses.
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The mismatch between supply and consumer preferences prompted TASMAC to review its procurement and distribution process. Under the revised system, district managers have been instructed to assess individual outlet requirements before placing stock requests. The earlier practice of purchasing equal quantities from all liquor manufacturers and distributing them uniformly across shops will now be discontinued.
The TASMAC Managing Director has directed senior regional managers, district managers and warehouse managers to implement the revised supply mechanism. Officials handling distribution will consider product sales performance, consumer preferences and outlet-level demand before deciding the quantity of liquor to be dispatched.
The demand-based model is expected to improve liquor stock management in Tamil Nadu, reduce the accumulation of slow-moving products and minimise unsold inventory at TASMAC shops and warehouses. At the same time, the system is intended to ensure that popular liquor brands and varieties are replenished according to demand in different locations.
TASMAC will monitor the revised distribution system through sales and inventory data to ensure that liquor supplies remain aligned with consumer demand. The move is aimed at making the state’s liquor retail network more responsive to local purchasing patterns while improving overall inventory efficiency.
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