Metcash has released its Annual Report 2025, which celebrates group sales revenue of $17.3 billion, up 7.2% from $15.9 billion for the same period last year, with the company’s liquor pillar growing by 3.3%.

Liquor revenue rose from $5.1 billion to $5.3 billion year-on-year, driven by “strong sales growth” across all IBA brands. The liquor pillar comprises Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM), its wholesale and logistics business, and Independent Brands Australia (IBA), home to retail banners including Cellarbrations, Porters, IGA Liquor, The Bottle-O and Thirsty Camel.

Together, ALM and IBA support thousands of independent retailers and on-premise venues across the country.

Australian Liquor Marketers CEO Kylie Wallbridge said the growth was delivered in a “challenging market” that saw Metcash “win further market share”. Since FY22, the IBA network’s share of the packaged liquor market has increased by 2.7 percentage points to 31.1%.

“This was driven by strong execution across a range of strategic initiatives and ongoing shopper preference for convenience and localised product ranges,” Wallbridge said.

“It also reflects the success of our differentiated multi-channel approach focused on growing our IBA retail network, contract
customers and on-premise customers.

“Pleasingly, our growth accelerated in the second half of the year, demonstrating the ongoing value, relevance and quality of the IBA network of proud, highly engaged independent retailers and hoteliers.”

Wallbridge said shoppers continued to be value-led and were increasingly making choices around health and wellbeing.

“For IBA, this means curating the right product range and offer to meet local shopper needs,” she said. “We ensure our range is relevant and tailored to each banner, store and region, aligning with shopper expectations and preferences.”

In FY25, the IBA network expanded its network and welcomed a net 89 new stores. While the on-premise market continued to face headwinds in the first half of the year, Wallbridge said it was particularly pleasing to see the channel return to growth in the second half and continue this momentum into FY26.

“The opening of our new mega DC in Truganina, Victoria during the year has strengthened the Liquor pillar’s ability to leverage the broader Metcash Group capabilities and reach in wholesale and logistics.” Wallbridge said.

“We continue to strive to be a preferred route to market partner for suppliers. This year it was pleasing to have Lion partner with ALM for wholesale distribution in South Australia. The agreement represents approximately $100 million of annual sales and commenced in February this year. This partnership is already delivering benefits and results for Lion, ALM and our shared customers.”

Group CEO Doug Jones added that while the liquor pillar’s EBIT was down 4.7% to $104.1 million, it was a strong outcome
“in the face of materially lower wholesale price inflation, which impacts margin expansion opportunities”.

View the 2025 Annual Report here.

Metcash Liquor outperforms market in latest results