Metcash’s liquor division has announced changes to its structure, with its Independent Brands Australia (IBA) teams across Australia centralising.

The IBA network is home to national brands such as Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor, and Porters Liquor. The IBA retail network consists of more than 1800 tier one bannered stores across Australia and New Zealand.

ALM’s General Manager of Merchandise and Operations John Barakat has been appointed to the new position of Executive General Manager, Retail.

ALM currently supplies more than 12,000 liquor customers. In addition to supplying liquor stores, it incorporates a specialist on-premise liquor division that supports bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Barakat stepped in as Acting Liquor CEO following the retirement of Chris Baddock in 2023 and led the group until the appointment of Kylie Wallbridge in January 2024 as the new CEO Liquor.

His retail team will comprise the following functions: Category, Shopper (Marketing), Loyalty & Operations, along with a new GM, Retail.

Wallbridge said in a letter to stakeholders this week: “We’re reorganizing our business to better reflect the ways our suppliers, customers and members do business and to reduce complexity and increase focus.

“Our business has grown significantly over the past few years and we want to make sure that we preserve this momentum, but also better reflect and support our current and future opportunities.

“In doing so we aim to be easier to do business with and ensure our teams can spend more time where we add most value.”

As part of the restructure, Adrian Ricci has been appointed GM, Retail and will be responsible for IBA activities in market, including business management, business development, corporate stores, retail and store development.

Metcash said on-premise was being up-weighted to drive growth, with GM Southern Region Jeremy Goodale adding this to his remit. The current on-premise category and marketing teams will now report to Goodale.

Wallbridge said ALM’s state GMs would take on expanded responsibilities.

Katherine Johnstone has been appointed ALM GM – QLD, NSW & ACT, with Darren Curtis taking up the newly created position of ALM State Manager NSW/ACT.

Linda Boswell will continue to lead WA, SA & NT and will take extended responsibility for the ALM transformation agenda.

Simon Cleave has moved into the newly created position of ALM Head of Merchandise, while Sam Zouroudis has been appointed to the role of GM, Strategy & Insights.

Metcash’s liquor performance

Metcash released its financial results for the half year ended 31 October 2024 in December, noting its liquor pillar continued “to outperform and gain market share in a challenging market”.

“Total sales (including charge-through) increased 2.1% to $2.5bn, with growth in sales to independent retail and contract customers more than offsetting a small decline in on-premise sales,” Metcash said.

“Wholesale sales to retail and contract customers increased 2.4%, reflecting increased shopper preference for the independents’ tailored local range and convenience. There continued to be signs of recovery in the on-premise segments with sales to on-premise customers down 0.6% compared with a 2.6% decrease in the prior corresponding half.”

However, despite the overall sales growth, liquor EBIT decreased 3.3% to $49.1million, which Metcash said reflected the impact of reduced strategic buying with lower wholesale price inflation and increased costs.

In the first four weeks of the second half of FY2025, total liquor sales increased 4.4%, with wholesale sales to IBA retail and contract customers up 5%. Wholesale sales to on-premise customers were flat.