Metcash

What Metcash does

Metcash is an ASX-listed (MTS) wholesale distribution and marketing company headquartered in Macquarie Park, Sydney, that supplies, brands and supports independently owned retailers across Australia's Food, Liquor and Hardware sectors. Founded in 1927 and operating under its current name since 2000, Metcash serves a network of approximately 2,457 supermarket outlets (including the IGA banner of 1,200+ stores and Foodland in South Australia), 3,394 liquor retail outlets (Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor) and 734 hardware stores (Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools, Hardings, Thrifty-Link, True Value Hardware), plus a foodservice and convenience division (Campbells/C-Store and Superior Foods) supplying tens of thousands of customers nationally. Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale distribution margins on goods supplied to banner-group and independent retailers, with additional streams from retail media (LocalEyes), fully franked dividends to shareholders and ancillary services; pricing is B2B and not publicly disclosed.

The company's operating model rests on three pillars — Food, Liquor and Hardware — supported by 14 distribution centres including a 5-star Green Star rated mega facility at Truganina, a network that reaches remote communities where independents are often the only retail channel. Technology infrastructure has been actively upgraded: Sorted, a B2B e-commerce marketplace launched in March 2026 on SAP Commerce Cloud with Coveo AI, provides personalised procurement and ordering to independent retailers; LocalEyes is a retail media network with 860 digital screens (expandable to 3,000+) represented by Nine and QMS; and an enterprise-wide Microsoft AI platform entered user acceptance testing in June 2026 for operational optimisation. Underlying subsidiaries include Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM, acquired 1987), Foodland Associated (2005), Independent Hardware Group (formed 2016), Total Tools (consolidated to 100% by 2023), and Superior Foods and Bianco Construction Supplies (2024). FY26 revenue was A$19.6 billion (+0.7% headline, +3.8% ex-tobacco) with EBITDA of A$774.1 million (+3.5%), a 1.0x debt leverage ratio and a 104.2% three-year cash realisation, despite a 29% decline in tobacco sales to A$1.3 billion and a 6.3% decline in Hardware EBIT amid weak residential construction.

Name

Metcash

Legal name

Metcash Trading Limited

Website

https://metcash.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers (4244), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Wholesale-Hardware (5072)

akta.pro primary industry

Foodservice / Restaurant Supply Distribution Centers (TLALAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wholesale/B2B Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAF)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution
• Independent retail support
• Food liquor hardware
• Franchise banner groups
• Retail media network

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Core wholesale distribution revenue from supplying independent retailers across Food, Liquor and Hardware sectors. Revenue of $19.6 billion in FY26 with 3.8% growth excluding tobacco. EBITDA of $774.1 million, up 3.5%
2. Tobacco Sales: Tobacco sales declining 29% to $1.3 billion in FY26. Cumulative tobacco sales decline of AUD 1.8 billion since FY2021 representing significant headwind. Tobacco excise headwind of approximately AUD 10 million expected in FY2027
3. Dividend Returns: Fully franked dividend payments to shareholders. FY26 final dividend of A$0.095 per share, total annual dividend A$0.19, reflecting 4.5% yield. Dividend Reinvestment Plan suspended June 2026
4. Retail Media: LocalEyes retail media network generating advertising revenue through digital screens across retail locations. Partnership with Nine and QMS for representation of the network from September 1st

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metcash is Australia's leading wholesale distribution and marketing company, supplying independent retailers across Food, Liquor, and Hardware sectors. The company provides wholesale supply, merchandising, operational and marketing support through branded banner groups including IGA, Foodland, Mitre 10, Cellarbrations, and Total Tools. It operates 14 distribution centres serving over 2,457 supermarkets, 3,394 liquor outlets, and 734 hardware stores, complemented by digital platforms including the Sorted B2B e-commerce marketplace and LocalEyes retail media network.

Product overview

Metcash is Australia’s leading wholesale distribution and marketing company operating across three pillars: Food, Liquor, and Hardware. The company provides a unified platform of wholesale supply, retail brand support, and digital commerce capabilities to independent retailers. Key products include the Food pillar (IGA, Foodland, Campbells/C-Store, Superior Foods), Liquor pillar (Australian Liquor Marketers, Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor), and Hardware pillar (Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools, Hardings Hardware, Thrifty-Link, True Value Hardware). Digital offerings include the Sorted B2B e-commerce marketplace (powered by Coveo AI and SAP Commerce Cloud), LocalEyes retail media network, and various AI-powered demand forecasting and inventory management capabilities. Metcash also operates sustainability initiatives through the MetPlanet Sustainability Hub and community programs via IGA Community Chest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) Independent supermarket network of over 1,200 independently owned stores across Australia, supported by Metcash with merchandising, operational and marketing support under the 'Best Store in Their Town' strategy.
• Foodland Network of local, independently owned supermarkets in South Australia, known as 'The Mighty South Aussies', supporting local sporting and community clubs, charities, and schools for over 50 years.
• Campbells/C-Store Metcash's convenience and forecourt retail division providing wholesale solutions for tens of thousands of customers nationwide, with 23 branches and approximately 80,000 sqm warehouse space.
• Superior Foods Leading Australian foodservice distribution business acquired by Metcash in 2024, with 23 branches and approximately 80,000 sqm warehouse space.
• Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM) Largest supplier of liquor to independently owned liquor retailers in Australia and largest broad range liquor wholesaler, supplying over 12,000 liquor customers including on-premise division supporting bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels.
• Cellarbrations One of the largest independent retail liquor brands in Australia with over 500 stores nationally, independently owned and operated with locally selected products.
• The Bottle-O Independent liquor retail brand with over 250 stores across Australia, independently owned and operated as part of the local community.
• IGA Liquor Network of independently owned liquor stores providing tailored ranges and products to local customers with personalized service.
• Mitre 10 Australia's largest independent home improvement and hardware wholesaler and retailer with over 350 stores in metro and regional areas, known as 'Mighty Helpful' hardware stores serving trade customers and homeowners.
• Home Hardware National chain of approximately 150 independently owned family-run hardware stores with strong trade focus, positioned as 'Go Where the Tradies Go'.
• Total Tools Australia's largest independent professional tools retailer and franchise network, operating for over 30 years with widest range of professional tool brands.
• Hardings Hardware Wholly owned Metcash entity providing full bathroom and kitchen appliance offer, with five locations in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, known for 'Best Brands at the Lowest Prices'.
• Thrifty-Link Hardware National hardware chain of over 120 family-run stores servicing metro and regional communities across Australia, offering local expert advice and convenience hardware.
• True Value Hardware National hardware chain with close to 70 independently owned and operated stores throughout Australia, serving local community quick fix and DIY project needs.
• Sorted B2B E-commerce Marketplace AI-powered B2B e-commerce marketplace enabling hyper-personalized product search and discovery, streamlining procurement, ordering, and invoicing processes for thousands of independent retailers across Australia's Food, Liquor, and Hardware sectors.
• LocalEyes Retail Media Network Metcash's retail media network comprising digital screens across food, liquor, and hardware retail brands, represented by Nine and QMS media partnership, covering brands including IGA, Mitre 10, Cellarbrations, Bottle O, Home Hardware, and Total Tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 570 basis points of liquor market share gains since FY2020
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nine Entertainment Co and QMScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2026Nine and QMS secured partnership agreement to represent Metcash's LocalEyes retail media network throughout Australia. Initial agreement covers 860 digital screens across Metcash's food, liquor and hardware retail brands including IGA, Mitre 10, Cellarbrations, Bottle O, Home Hardware and Total Tools, with potential to expand to over 3,000 retail locations. Partnership builds on Nine's recent acquisition of QMS and positions combined entity for retail media sector entry with integrated 'Sofa to Street to Store' media proposition for advertisers
• Mark LollbackcoreOthers · 12 June 2026Metcash appointed Mark Lollback to lead Retail Media division
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 April 2026Mitre 10 (owned by Metcash) struck delivery deal with DoorDash to make hardware stores available on the app, initially offering about 7,400 products from more than 25 stores nationally with same-day delivery. Partnership came after Bunnings signed exclusive deal with Uber Eats preventing Mitre 10 from expanding its trial with Uber Eats. More stores will be progressively added over time
• Coveo AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 March 2026Metcash selected Coveo AI to power its B2B e-commerce marketplace called Sorted, in partnership with SAP Commerce Cloud. The Coveo AI-Relevance Platform enables hyper-personalized product search and discovery for thousands of independent retailers across Australia, streamlining procurement, ordering and invoicing processes. This technology partnership aims to strengthen local independent businesses by improving competitive edge and operational efficiency through AI-powered commerce tools
• The Great UnwasteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025IGA launches partnership with The Great Unwaste for food waste reduction initiatives
• Greening AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with not-for-profit Greening Australia for 'Buy One Get One Tree' program. Approximately 105,000 new trees funded through the program, contributing to climate-resilient, biodiverse environments. Trees being planted in locations where needed most
• End Food Waste AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Metcash joined Australian Food Pact to combat food waste. Partnership generating significant strides in food waste awareness. Food Rescue Program delivered over 2.3 million meals. End Food Waste Impact Report (2021-2024) found signatories saved $57 million over three years
• Planet Ark (PODCycle)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Metcash became first participant in Australia's grocery market to partner with Planet Ark on PODCycle coffee pod recycling collection system. Participating IGA stores successfully recycled over 30,000 used coffee pods
• ZambrerominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023ALM National Operations team participated in Zambrero Plate 4 Plate Day volunteer event, meal packing day resulting in ~470,000 meals packed for those in need

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Sysco Corporation: Largest US broadline foodservice distributor, comparable to Metcash's Campbells/C-Store and Superior Foods foodservice distribution business. Both operate wholesale distribution models supplying independent restaurants and foodservice operators across broad product categories.
• US Foods Holding Corp: Major US foodservice distributor with a broadline distribution model similar to Metcash's foodservice pillar. Both companies supply independent restaurants, healthcare and hospitality operators with food and related products through a network of distribution centres.
• Performance Food Group: US foodservice and convenience distributor operating Vistar and Performance Foodservice. The convenience distribution arm is directly comparable to Metcash's C-Store Distribution and Campbells businesses, both serving forecourt retail and small-format foodservice.
• Endeavour Group: Australia's largest liquor retailer (Dan Murphy's, BWS) and on-premise operator. Endeavour's wholesale and retail liquor operations directly compete with Metcash's ALM and Cellarbrations networks for liquor market share in Australia.
• Loblaw Companies: Canada's largest grocery retailer and wholesale distributor (through Weston Foods and wholesale operations). Loblaw's combination of retail banners, wholesale supply, and private label development mirrors Metcash's multi-banner, multi-category wholesale model.

Broad incumbents

• Woolworths Group: Australia's largest grocery retailer operating Woolworths Supermarkets. Woolworths competes directly with Metcash's IGA independent supermarket network for consumer grocery spend, putting structural pressure on Metcash's wholesale volumes to independents.
• Coles Group: Major Australian grocery retailer and one of the two dominant supermarket chains. Coles competes with Metcash's IGA and Foodland banners and was the previous employer of Metcash Food CEO Grant Ramage, providing insight into competitive dynamics.
• Wesfarmers: Australian conglomerate whose Bunnings division dominates the Australian hardware retail market. Bunnings is the primary competitive threat to Metcash's Mitre 10, Home Hardware and Total Tools networks and has used exclusive delivery deals to disadvantage them.
• Costco Wholesale: Global membership warehouse retailer competing with independent supermarkets and liquor retailers on bulk pricing. Costco's membership model represents a distinct competitive threat to Metcash's banner customers in grocery and increasingly in liquor.

Regional players

• Empire Company (Sobeys): Canadian grocery retailer and wholesale distributor operating Sobeys and affiliated banners. Empire's franchise/wholesale model for independents is structurally similar to Metcash's IGA banner model, though operating in the Canadian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metcash
• Xx.com/MetcashLtd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A7 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metcash