In South Africa, leading alcoholic drinks manufacturers have collaborated to offer a new digital click and collect ordering platform called Hola Club. South African Breweries (now part of AB InBev) has launched its own system, called Firsti.

Still in the middle of a lockdown that has seen retailers now allowed to sell alcoholic drinks, but bars and restaurants remain closed, alcoholic drinks manufacturers have launched a new platform for consumers to buy alcohol. The relaxation of the lockdown has created long queues outside alcohol retailers, while bars are under financial duress as they cannot allow customers on site to drink.

Heineken, Diageo and Pernod Ricard have partnered with retail app developer Touchsides to launch the Hola Club click & collect platform. The new platform allows consumers to pre-order drinks from bars, which they then collect at a designated time. The idea is to channel business to bar owners, relieve some of the pressure on alcohol retailers, and ensure better social distancing.

South African Breweries (SAB) has also launched a new digital platform, Firsti. Unlike the Hola Club app, Firsti is compatible with feature phones (i.e. USSD), and does not require a smartphone or access to the internet. Consumers simply dial *120*464# and follow the prompts to place their order, the bar they want to collect from, and a time slot to collect.

The brewing industry has been hit hard by lockdown restrictions and the ban on sales of alcohol in South Africa. In May, SAB warned that around half of its frontline workforce, 2,000 people, could be laid off. The brewer also warned that unless it could find a way to sell its beer, it would be forced to dump 132m litres of beer – equivalent to 400m bottles.