Footprints in the sands of time are not made lying down! For Vaz Enterprises and its Founder Partner, Wilson Vaz, it has perhaps been a remarkable journey, ever since his first business venture, Vaz Enterprises, was established on July 13, 1977 near Lohia Maidan in the heart of Margao city.
From an establishment selling liquor to introducing the ‘Liquor Supermarket' concept for the first time in Goa at his plush store at per-Seraulim on Colva road, he has traversed a long distance. But nostalgia keeps flooding the mind, once in a while. "Sangli (Maharashtra) based wrestler Jyothiram Dada Patil had inaugurated our first liquor outlet in Margao way back in 1977, along with the MMC Chairperson Gaundalkar. We have completed 40 years this year," Vaz recalls.
But, it is not the cataclysmic churning which was an offshoot of the SC verdict on the liquor outlets that prompted his decision to establish this plush exclusive ‘Liquor Supermarket' on May 9, 2017, at per-Seraulim on Colva road. "We had planned this as an additional outlet. We had purchased this premises at the construction stage," he explains.
The seed of the supermarket concept germinated to offer the ease of shopping and an experience akin to shopping abroad. So, the plush, spacious liquor supermarket has an entry throught one door and the exit through another. As a customer enters the supermarket, he takes a detour of the quality, premium --- foreign and Indian brands. "Customers can take a detour of the supermarket to see all types of liquor and exercise their choice. It also helps control the flow of customers, especially of tourists," explains Vaz.
Besides the ambiance, the alignment also offers the ease of choice to each individual customer. "Especially in wines, each one has his own preference. Here, one can choose one's own bottle," he adds. While many other liquor outlets handle counter sale in the normal run-of-the-mill fashion, a customer at this supermarket can exercise his choice here by actually taking a closer look at the liquor on display and pick-and-choose the bottle of his preference.
Apparently, the customer has an extensive range to choose from the display. "Our liquor range extends from Scotch to Japanese, American, Canadian whiskey, from Feni to Tequilas, Gins (Indian and European), Vodka from six different countries, Wines from nine different countries and Beer from four diferent countries (Draught, Stout, Pilsner, Lager)," Vaz explains.
Over the past 40 years, Vaz has witnessed the evolution of the liquor business in Goa. "We have kept up with times. From Wines to Single Malts. We have the first licence in Goa for imported liquor," Vaz adds.
What has also turned out as an additional advantage is the collection of Single Malts at this supermarket. "We have a foreign liquor licence," states Vaz. This has proved to be the customers' delight. "Our clientele comprises both tourists and locals," he mentions.
As liquor is exempt from GST, changes on this front have not affected the liquor trade.
However, by itself, business is never known to be a bed of roses. Ever since the shift from Margao to per-Seraulim, the footfalls have decreased. "People having transport facilities at their
disposal visit our supermarket. But
the footfalls have decreased," informs Vaz.
