Boneface rebrand just around the corner. Beer Baroness and Pomeroy's pub merge. British punters struggle to identify independent breweries; can you? Read poll: Milkshake IPA — love or hate?
Hi Michael, great Friday Night Beers as per usual.
I was interested in the Woolies story. I live in Australia and although major supermarkets here can't (or choose not to?) sell beer, they do own the main bottle store chains ie Dan Murphys, BWS etc.
I wonder whether their moves in New Zealand are a part of a plan to rationalise the number of independent craft beers they range to create fridge space for their own labels. If so then this is the first step in an ongoing marginalisation of independents so Woolworths can capture more of consumer spend directly themselves.
Easy for me to say but as consumers we need to - through our spending - send a signal to Australian owned companies like Woolworths that part of the enjoyment of drinking craft beer is to support small local businesses.
Thanks Nick… your point is valid and I was having the exact conversation with a couple of people this week. It’s possible but there are some negatives — freight, excise higher in Australia (despite rebates) plus brand recognition… but that said, my local Woolies here has a lot of brands I’ve never heard of in their general food items, so potentially it could work with beer. We certainly have enough Aussie wine in our supermarkets! And you’re right it all comes down to where people spend their money and these guys track that very carefully
Hi Michael, great Friday Night Beers as per usual.
I was interested in the Woolies story. I live in Australia and although major supermarkets here can't (or choose not to?) sell beer, they do own the main bottle store chains ie Dan Murphys, BWS etc.
Anyway the reason I bring this up is because Woolies (the Endeavour Group) own at least 15 "craft" beer brands which they tend to give prominence in their fridge space at their bottle-o's. This has led to independent's share of the craft beer fridge space falling from 56% in 2020 to 38% in 2023. Details here https://craftypint.com/who-owns-your-beer and https://www.beerreflections.com.au/who-owns-my-beer-from-pillar-to-post/
I wonder whether their moves in New Zealand are a part of a plan to rationalise the number of independent craft beers they range to create fridge space for their own labels. If so then this is the first step in an ongoing marginalisation of independents so Woolworths can capture more of consumer spend directly themselves.
Easy for me to say but as consumers we need to - through our spending - send a signal to Australian owned companies like Woolworths that part of the enjoyment of drinking craft beer is to support small local businesses.
Thanks Nick… your point is valid and I was having the exact conversation with a couple of people this week. It’s possible but there are some negatives — freight, excise higher in Australia (despite rebates) plus brand recognition… but that said, my local Woolies here has a lot of brands I’ve never heard of in their general food items, so potentially it could work with beer. We certainly have enough Aussie wine in our supermarkets! And you’re right it all comes down to where people spend their money and these guys track that very carefully