As Metcash launches its new “Family Founded” campaign, the CEO of its Liquor pillar, Kylie Wallbridge has celebrated the resilience, growth and optimism of independent retailers.
Family Founded has launched across more than 3200 retailers, bringing together the Metcash’s liquor, food and hardware retailers and highlights the unique benefits independent provide for local shoppers.
Speaking at the opening of the recent IBA Trade Workshop on the Gold Coats, Wallbridge said: “This is an opportunity for us to recognise that Independents are leading the liquor industry, reflect on why and then double down on it – we can celebrate the achievements of the IBA network.”
Wallbridge acknowledged that the past 12 months have not been easy for retailers or consumers. But she highlighted that Metcash’s three core divisions – liquor, food and hardware – all achieved value growth.
“It was a challenging year with difficult conditions at times and the shoppers who are coming into your stores are feeling it too,” she said. “So, we consider it a fantastic result that as a business our independent networks delivered growth.”
Her message was clear: independents have held their ground and are well positioned to keep building market share.
“I think that’s something to take a lot of confidence from,” she told delegates. “Ultimately it’s the work that you and your teams are doing in your stores and your premises every day that is making this possible.”
Despite post-pandemic slowdowns, Wallbridge stressed the independents’ resilience.
“There’s still plenty of opportunities for us to grow in the liquor space, but retail is the heart of what we do. The fantastic thing, and we should absolutely celebrate this in all of our stores, in all of our venues, is that the independents have continued to grow share every year for the last four years.
“For us to grow, it means you’re serving your shoppers and your customers better than anybody else in the market.”
For IBA and its members, the Trade Workshop marked more than an annual catch-up. It was a line in the sand – a commitment to harness momentum, invest in new platforms, and continue carving out a growing share of the liquor market.
The message from the Gold Coast was unmistakable: independents are not just surviving – they are thriving, united by a common purpose and ready to take their story national.