Deliveroo and Gorillas have signed up to new delivery driver training standards to prevent alcohol being served to children and customers who are intoxicated.
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) is launching training to equip anyone delivering alcohol with tools to deny delivery where necessary, including communication techniques for handling tricky situations and de-escalation.
This new training resource for frontline delivery agents supports the implementation of IARD’s global standards for e-commerce, and both grocery delivery services, Deliveroo and Gorillas, are the latest companies to join.
This 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.
The news comes as the global online food delivery segment is set to reach $323bn in 2022.
“The way people purchase alcohol beverages is shifting, with rapid growth in online delivery services,” said IARD president and CEO, Henry Ashworth.
He added that IARD member companies are determined to play their part in ensuring that delivery drivers are confident and comfortable when handing over alcohol beverages.
Ashworth said: “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 e-commerce platforms worldwide to prevent the sale and delivery of alcohol to minors and to reduce harmful drinking among adults.”
“We take our responsibilities to customers very seriously – so we are pleased to join IARD’s global standards coalition, building on our efforts to ensure the responsible sale and delivery of alcohol to Deliveroo customers,” said Deliveroo’s global director of policy and public affairs, Paul Bedford.
Gorillas’ global vice president of corporate social responsibility, public affairs and sustainability, Alexander Brunst, said:
“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.”
