By Ian Neubauer
Foster’s Group has implemented its plan to separate beer and wine sales teams across three Australian states and will roll out the plan across Eastern states by July.
“The recruitment of new sales people and implementation of new structures is going to plan,” Foster’s corporate affairs spokesperson Troy Hey told TheShout today (May 11).
“Separate wine and beer, cider and spirits sales teams are now operating in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, with the remaining Eastern states to be largely rolled out by the end of the financial year.”
The development falls in line with the February results of Foster’s long-awaited strategic review, which sought ways to remedy the group’s under-performing wine business.
The review identified that Foster’s multi-beverage strategy – a cost-cutting plan that saw salespersons supply wine, spirits and beer across a geographic area – had backfired because of the specialist knowledge required to sell wine.
Hey added that the new strategy was being well-received.
“So far, feedback from customers has been very positive and we look forward to continuing the successful roll-out in coming weeks,” he said.
Foster’s shares were trading at $5.03 cents at 2:00pm today compared to $5.24 seven days ago.