By James Atkinson
Woolworths Liquor Group has reported positive growth across all three of its retail formats of Dan Murphy’s, BWS and The Wine Quarter for the half year to January 5, 2014.
Woolworths’ Australian Food and Liquor sales for the half year were $21.5 billion, an increase of almost $1.0 billion or 4.8 per cent on the previous year. Sales for the second quarter were $10.9 billion, an increase of over $0.5 billion or 5.1 per cent on the previous year.
CEO Grant O’Brien yesterday told analysts that liquor’s underlying sales growth was in line with the 4.8 per cent figure achieved by food and liquor overall.
Director of liquor Brad Banducci said Dan Murphy’s continued its geographical expansion opening six stores in the first half.
“It also continues to lead multi-option innovation in drinks with the launch of the Dan Murphy’s App and three new delivery options – ‘Same Day’, ‘Next Day’ and ‘Pick a Day’,” he said.
“BWS has made pleasing progress in strengthening its brand profile, benefiting from its sponsorship of ‘The Ashes’ and ‘Summer of Cricket’ more broadly,” Banducci added.
Woolworths said it plans to open a further six Dan Murphy’s in the remainder of the 2014 financial year.