Multi-billion food firm DoorDash has taken a further plunge into the grocery market as it prepares to offer alcohol deliveries in 20 US states.
The announcement, certain to trigger a backlash from anti-addiction groups, follows similar moves by Uber and Gopuff.
DoorDash will deliver from 10,000 retailers, mostly made up of its existing network of restaurants and convenience stores.
According to the Financial Times, its alcohol partnerships include Total Wine & More, a chain of more than 200 shops across the US.
READ MORE: DoorDash ditches $400m Gorillas investment
It comes after DoorDash’s failed attempt to follow its domestic competitor Gopuff into the European market.
The San Francisco-based business had planned to invest $400 million into Gorillas, but the deal fell apart after the German startup went looking for a higher bidder.
Drinks market analysts IWSR said that Covid-19 has been the “trigger” for soaring alcohol sales, which increased 80 per cent in 2020.
However, some believe that the rise should be countered by tighter regulation.
“Delivery apps that make it easier to buy large quantities of alcohol are likely to increase problematic drinking and related health issues, including addiction,” Partnership to End Addiction executive Emily Feinstein said.
“States should consider regulating the sale of alcohol via these channels to reduce the potential harms.”
On-demand alcohol has also been met with resistance in the UK, as grocery startups seek licences from councils across the country.
Getir accused Brighton & Hove City Council of introducing “prohibition” after it was banned from 24-hour alcohol deliveries in August.
Critics had raised concerns of resulting “crime and disorder” at party hotspots and pointed out that off-licences had to close by 11pm.
The same month, a councillor unsuccessfully waged a campaign against Weezy’s licence for alcohol deliveries in Tower Hamlets.
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