The Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia (LSA WA) and Master Grocers Australia (MGA) have joined forces to better support their membership of independent liquor retailers.
MGA CEO, Jos de Bruin and LSA WA Chair, Lou Spagnolo, both said that the Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen the voice of independent retailers in Western Australia and will work towards delivering a more secure and sustainable retail sector for independent packaged liquor store owners.
The two met for discussions earlier this year, along with MGA Liquor President George Kovits, MGA WA Director and WA retailer, Ross Anile along with LSA WA CEO, Peter Peck. The meeting confirmed that the two businesses are aligned in their interests for independent liquor retail and that they would be stronger working together.
LSA WA Chair, Spagnolo, said: “The two organisations both recognise the important role each plays in the retail and packaged liquor industry. Working to our obvious strengths we will strive to deliver to our members a more secure retail sector and a more diverse packaged liquor industry in Australia.”
MGA CEO, de Bruin, said: “The successful meeting confirmed the two organisations, are very much aligned to supporting its family and privately-owned retail businesses and delivering a national support framework which will benefit all members. There is no ambiguity as we do not represent the interests of big business.”
They continued: “By both organisations committing to a Memorandum of Understanding and recognising that our members and associations independence is respected, our purpose to develop a strong sustainable national independent package liquor industry sector will be further strengthened, benefiting all our independent retail and packaged liquor members in WA and nationally, around Australia.”
MGA Liquor President, George Kovits said: “This initiative will drive certainty and confidence for our 1,200 members selling packaged liquor, enabling stability and security for their businesses and families into the future.”