Metcash, the parent company behind liquor retailers Bottle-O and Liquor Centre, is considering withdrawing from its New Zealand liquor wholesale operations following a review of the business.
The ASX-listed company has proposed exiting Tasman Liquor and Allied Liquor – its New Zealand wholesale businesses, while retaining Allied Retail Group, which operates The Bottle-O, Liquor Centre and Merchants Liquor retail brands.
A Metcash spokesperson said the proposed changes would not affect the company’s retail network in New Zealand.
Together, Metcash’s New Zealand liquor operations support approximately 370 stores, including around 110 Bottle-O outlets.
The company said its review found the New Zealand wholesale operation had not performed as successfully as the direct-to-store model, while the investment required to improve the business was considered too significant.
Metcash entered the New Zealand wholesale liquor market in 2002 when its Australian Liquor Marketers division acquired Allied Liquor.
The Bottle-O brand was subsequently introduced to New Zealand in 2007, while Metcash expanded its local retail interests through the acquisition of Liquor Centre in 2020.
A consultation process with Tasman Liquor employees began on July 23 and Metcash said no final decision on the future of Tasman Liquor and Allied Liquor would be made until the employee consultation process had been completed.
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