CartelBros’ Mokksh Sani says global travel restrictions helped premium and luxury liquor sales shift toward India’s domestic retail market. As international movement became more difficult, especially during the peak of the West Asia war, sales at duty-free outlets in Indian airports reportedly fell while local retail benefited.
The change appears to have come from buying behavior. Travelers who might previously have purchased premium bottles abroad or at airport duty-free stores instead turned to domestic shops in India. That redirected spending into the local market, particularly in higher-end liquor categories.
The trend also underlines how travel disruptions can reshape alcohol retail channels. When overseas trips become less frequent or less convenient, duty-free loses some of its usual advantage, and domestic retailers gain access to buyers who are already willing to spend more on premium products.
In that sense, the recent period created an unexpected tailwind for premium Indian liquor retail. While airport duty-free sales weakened, domestic stores saw stronger interest from consumers shifting their purchases back home.
