Year in Review
September Metcash evolves and premiumises its private label range Metcash developed its liquor business and store network, which included the ongoing evolution and premiumisation of its private label range. Speaking at the Group’s Annual General Meeting, Group CEO Jeff Adams said: “We have once again made good progress with our store investments to improve the quality of the IBA network. A further 81 stores were refreshed, and
across the wine, beer and spirits categories. Sales continue to grow strongly,
CCA details management and organisational changes
particularly in the wine category, which was up 20 per cent on the prior year.
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) revealed
The wine category now represents around 85 per cent of total private and
management and organisational changes as
exclusive label sales.
part of a two-year transition phase as the
110 cool rooms upgraded, bringing the totals to around 330 and 610 respectively. “In our private and exclusive labels initiative we now have about 80 SKUs
“While we continue to have highly competitive and challenging markets, I’m generally excited about our plans for the future. I’m also very encouraged by
group targets a return to mid-single digit earnings per share growth from 2020.
the enthusiasm and passion I have experienced from our independent retailer
In detailing the organisational changes,
and supplier partners to ensure the independent retail sector remains strong
Group Managing Director, Alison Watkins, said
and grows.”
the moves would further integrate beverage categories across each country and see
Total alcohol consumption remains at 50-year low
them managed in line with geographical
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
alcohol and coffee portfolios join the
(ABS) showed that while total alcohol
Australian Beverages team under the
consumption in Australia remained steady,
leadership of Peter West.
there had been a rise in spirits consumption. Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) said that
responsibilities. The changes see the Australian-based
Further alcohol and coffee in New Zealand, Paradise Beverages in Fiji and Samoa, and
the data showed the majority of Australians
the international alcohol sales team, join the
are still enjoying alcohol responsibly and still drinking at 50-year lows.
New Zealand and Fiji businesses under the
“It’s really important that we understand the bigger picture at play
leadership of Chris Litchfield, and the coffee
here,” said ABA CEO Andrew Wilsmore. “The data still shows a long-term
portfolio in Indonesia will be part of the
decline in consumption which means the vast majority of Australians are
Indonesian business under the leadership of
enjoying alcohol responsibly and in moderation.
Kadir Gunduz.
“While the mix of what people are drinking is changing, overall, we
Due to these changes, Managing Director,
know from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that drinking at
Shane Richardson (pictured) leaves CCA after
harmful levels and underage drinking is at record lows, and those statistics
five years with the business.
are more insightful than per capita figures. “A significant cultural shift has taken place, with the largest decline in
Watkins said these changes did not affect the portfolio range, availability or any current
figures coming from young people aged 18-24, who are drinking far less
or projected growth plans for the alcohol and
than any generation before them.”
coffee categories.
116 | National Liquor News