We seem to be in the midst of a very unusual phenomenon – whilst volume in some categories of the drinks business is showing either very modest growth or in some even decline, we seem to be selling more higher-priced items. By Mal Higgs, Project Manager for the ALSA Retail Insights Project. Retailers across the country are … Continued

Coles and Woolworths reported first quarter FY17 sales results for their liquor businesses this week. The results showed sales increased by 2.9 per cent for Coles’ food and liquor business, while Endeavour Drinks Group sales were up by 3.8 per cent. Sales were reported at $7.9 billion at the end of the quarter for Coles food … Continued

Introducing one determined Darwin U.G.L.Y. that doesn’t give up on her goal. Hidden Valley Tavern’s U.G.L.Y. Bartender Amy Moore registered to be U.G.L.Y. for the first time last year. She and her team decided they would set a challenging goal of $10,000, and after a lot of hard work they raised an amazing $8,400 and … Continued

Bundaberg Rum has unveiled its new-look packaging, hitting stores this Tuesday, November 1. The new packaging will feature across its core spirit range, including Bundaberg Rum UP, Bundaberg Rum OP, Bundaberg Spiced, Bundaberg Red, Bundaberg Tropics and Select VAT. The summer refresh aims to modernise the brand’s look and achieve consistency across the range, with … Continued

This week marked the drinks association’s 2016 Annual General Meeting. Held at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the association, and its 27 members met to review the year and look at ways to continue to add value to the Australian alcohol industry. First established in 1897 by a small group of liquor merchants, today the drinks association … Continued

Liquor Barons has launched a new marketing campaign that proves it’s “far from ordinary” with three new faces and a tagline that aims to highlight the WA-based liquor retailer’s unique and local offering. Liquor Barons has 68 members in total and prides its success on keeping the ownership of its stores with its retailers, which … Continued

Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) met with the office of Troy Grant on Wednesday, October 26 to discuss the Callinan Review Report findings. Looking to tackle the issues of most concern for its members, ABA discussed its suggestions for the lockout laws, calling for an end to the current blanket solution. ABA’s key concern is that a … Continued

Independent Brands Australia (IBA) has announced plans to update its Merchandise & Promotions (M&P) function, aligning it to the core strategies of the ALM/IBA business. The transition is anticipated to reach completion by the end of February 2017. The business’ core strategies are made up of three major factors. The first core strategy, “Successful Independents”, … Continued

Lion, in partnership with the Imperial Hotel, has announced the return a much-missed local beer to the small Queensland town Eumundi. Eumundi Lager was established in 1988, when brewing engineer and developer John Lynch invited people to invest in a brewery in the small Queensland town. The group purchased the Imperial Hotel, installing a brewery … Continued

Dixon Hospitality Group has been announced as the Preferred Bidder for seven of Keystone Group’s Sydney-based venues including Cargo Bar, Bungalow 8, The Rook, The Winery, Manly Wine, Chophouse Sydney and Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. The Group’s venues went up for sale in June this year when it was placed into receivership. Receiver Morgan Kelly said that Dixon Group … Continued