Tasman Liquor also made a substantial dividend payment of $7.77m to its Australian parent entity, Metcash. <\/p>\n
The business last paid a dividend to its parent in 2023 of $7.5m.<\/p>\n
Metcash is an Australian retail giant which sells food, liquor and hardware. The ASX-listed business has a substantial footprint, with 3394 liquor stores, 2457 food stores and 734 hardware retailers.<\/p>\n
In its last result for the 2025 financial year, Metcash reported total revenue of A$17.3 billion, up 8.9% year-on-year, and made a profit of A$283.3m.<\/p>\n
Despite being one of the largest bottle store franchise businesses in New Zealand, Metcash\u2019s New Zealand operations represent less than 5% of revenue, results and assets of its business.<\/p>\n
The Herald contacted both Tasman Liquor and Metcash for comment on the result but did not get a response from either.<\/p>\n
The business\u2019 Auckland stores would likely have been affected by the council\u2019s Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) changes which came into force in December last year.<\/p>\n
That change enforced a ban on selling booze after 9pm in supermarkets, and bottle stores like those owned by Tasman Liquor. <\/p>\n
Applications for new bottle stores in the central city and 23 other areas will also be rejected for two years under the change unless they meet a very high threshold.<\/p>\n
Bottle-O is one of four brands owned by Tasman Liquor Company across its portfolio of roughly 370 stores. Photo \/ Tania Whyte<\/p>\n
Changing trends<\/p>\n
Alcohol consumption in New Zealand has been falling in recent years.<\/p>\n
According to Stats NZ\u2019s latest Alcohol available for consumption series, which provides data on the volume of alcoholic beverages available for consumption – beer, wine and spirits consumption has declined to the lowest level since data was first collected.<\/p>\n
In 2024, the average number of standard drinks a day per person over the age of 18 was 1.8, down 4.8% from 2023, following a 5.4% decrease in 2022.<\/p>\n
Since 2010, the average number of standard drinks a day has fallen almost 20%.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council executive director Virginia Nicholls said the consumer trend towards moderation is very real, with more focus on health and wellness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing consumers drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle,\u201d Nicholls said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeer, wine and spirits have responded to this trend by offering a wider range of low and no alcohol options. This innovation reflects our commitment to supporting responsible drinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The popularity of low-carb beers<\/a> has also risen sharply in recent years, from just 12% of beer sales<\/a> in 2022 to 18% last year.<\/p>\n