Group will have spot on Drizly's board of directors

Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America is investing in app developer Drizly, which allows online ordering and home delivery of alcohol within an hour, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The association declined to reveal the size of its investment, but the deal will assure a seat on the company's five-member board of directors, the newspaper reported. Drizly is a Boston-based company that started in 2012. The company doesn't sell its own alcoholic beverages. Rather, alcohol comes from participating retailers who pay a monthly fee for the service.

In a statement on its website, WSWA said the deal would accelerate the adoption of technologies enabling on-demand delivery within the three-tier alcohol distribution system.

"(The) strategic alliance with Drizly demonstrates the commitment of wholesalers to support next generation technology that will directly benefit consumers, retailers, suppliers and wholesalers," WSWA CEO Craig Wolf said.

The association added the deal does not negate its longstanding opposition to letting consumers purchase alcoholic products online from states other than their own.

"WSWA has never opposed local, in-state delivery of beverage alcohol to adult consumers by licensed retailers since they can be held accountable to comply with state and local laws and regulations," the association said in a statement.

Drizly currently provides service in 14 cities, including New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. http://on.wsj.com/1KJsiUQ

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