Metcash
An Australian wholesale distribution and services group supporting independent businesses in food, liquor and hardware.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Metcash is an Australian wholesale distributor and service provider whose principal role is to help independent retailers compete in markets dominated by large corporate chains. Its activities cover food and grocery, liquor, and hardware, with additional operations in foodservice and convenience distribution. Rather than operating primarily as a conventional supermarket or hardware-store chain, Metcash supplies products, logistics, marketing, retail technology, buying support and branded retail formats to independently owned businesses. The group traces its origins to Joe David's retail and wholesale activities in Sydney. David opened a corner store in Woolloomooloo in 1927 and, after expanding his retail presence, established a wholesale warehouse in Redfern in 1935. The business later broadened into liquor distribution and acquired established wholesale operations, including Harbottle Brown & Co. and A.G. Campbells. In 1987 its liquor operations adopted the Australian Liquor Marketers name, while in 1988 the IGA banner was introduced to Australia through the group's relationship with independent supermarkets. A change in ownership in 1998 brought the business under the control of South African company Metoz, then associated with the Metro Cash & Carry name. The Australian business was rebranded Metcash in 2000. Subsequent expansion included the acquisition of most Australian Foodland operations in 2005, the purchase of the Franklins brand in 2010, and the addition of Mitre 10 to the group. Metcash later consolidated its hardware activities through the creation of the Independent Hardware Group and expanded in tools through its acquisition of Total Tools. Metcash's food activities support banners and retail formats including IGA, Foodland IGA, IGA Local Grocer, Supa Valu IGA and Village Grocer. It also supplies some independent networks that it does not own, such as FoodWorks and Friendly Grocer, as well as selected convenience and forecourt customers. Its foodservice and convenience portfolio includes Superior Food Group, Campbells, C-Store Distribution and Independent Grocers (NT). The liquor division, Australian Liquor Marketers, is a broad-range wholesaler serving independent liquor retailers and other licensed customers. Retail banners supported by its Independent Brands Australia business include Cellarbrations, IGA Liquor, Porter's Liquor, The Bottle-O and Thirsty Camel. In hardware, the group supports brands and networks such as Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools, True Value Hardware, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Plants Plus, Bianco and Alpine Truss. Metcash also owns or distributes private-label ranges including Black & Gold, positioned as a value offer, and Community Co, positioned as a mid-market alternative to national brands. Its strategic proposition is built around scale behind the scenes while preserving local ownership and community-level retail identity. Distribution centres, category buying, retail banners, promotional programs and business services allow independent operators to access capabilities that would otherwise be more difficult to fund individually. Metcash remains an ASX-listed Australian company headquartered in Macquarie Park, Sydney. Its business has evolved from a Sydney grocery enterprise into a multi-sector wholesale and retail-services group. The company continues to expand through acquisitions and network integration, including the formation of the Total Tools and Hardware Group and the launch of the LocalEyes retail media network. Reference material also reports a later move into directly operating selected supermarkets, although the timing and final scope of that development require verification.
History
Metcash's roots lie in Sydney's independent grocery trade. Joe David opened a corner store in Woolloomooloo in 1927. After building a small retail network, Davids opened a wholesale warehouse in Redfern in 1935, establishing the distribution foundation from which the later group developed. The business expanded beyond groceries in 1966 when it entered liquor through the acquisition of Harbottle Brown & Co. In 1980 it acquired the A.G. Campbells wholesale operation, further increasing its scale in grocery and related distribution. The liquor business was renamed Australian Liquor Marketers in 1987. The following year, Davids Holdings introduced the IGA banner to Australia, initially with ten stores joining the network. The banner provided independent supermarkets with a shared identity and purchasing and marketing support while retaining local ownership. This model became central to the group's long-term strategy. In 1998, South African company Metoz acquired a majority stake in Davids. Metoz was associated with the Metro Cash & Carry name, and the Australian business adopted the Metcash name in 2000. The new identity marked the transition from a primarily historical Davids name to a broader wholesale and services group. Metcash expanded its food position through the 2005 Foodland transaction with Woolworths. The Australian and New Zealand parts of the Foodland business were divided between the parties, with Metcash taking most of the Australian operations and Woolworths receiving the New Zealand operations and 22 Australian supermarkets. In 2010 Metcash acquired the Franklins brand and converted its stores to the IGA banner, increasing the reach of its independent-supermarket proposition. The group also diversified into hardware. Mitre 10 became part of Metcash in 2010, and in 2016 the Mitre 10 and Home Timber & Hardware networks were combined into the Independent Hardware Group. In the automotive sector, Metcash acquired a majority interest in Automotive Brands Group in 2012 for A$53 million. That business included Autobarn and Autopro stores. Metcash sold the automotive division to Burson Group, now known as Bapcor, in 2015 for A$275 million, demonstrating a willingness to exit activities outside its preferred food, liquor and hardware focus. Metcash entered the tools sector through Total Tools. It acquired 70 percent of Total Tools in 2020, increased its holding to 85 percent in 2021 and completed the move to full ownership in 2023. Total Tools gave Metcash a major position in Australia's specialist tool-retailing network and complemented its existing hardware operations. In 2024 the company announced agreements to acquire Superior Food Group, Bianco Construction Supplies and Alpine Truss. These transactions broadened its exposure to foodservice, construction supplies and building components. In 2025 Metcash combined the Independent Hardware Group and Total Tools into the Total Tools and Hardware Group and launched LocalEyes, a retail media network designed to monetize and coordinate advertising opportunities across participating retail businesses. The supplied reference material also describes acquisitions of three Daly's IGA stores and supermarkets in Goolwa and Naracoorte in 2026, characterizing them as a return to direct supermarket retailing. Because that event is later than the other dated material and its details are not independently documented here, it should be treated as requiring verification. Across its development, Metcash has remained principally a wholesale and support platform: it aggregates buying power, manages distribution, provides retail banners and services, and helps independent operators compete with national chains.
- 2025
Total Tools and Hardware Group formed
[1]Metcash combined its major hardware and tools businesses into a unified group.
- 2023
Total Tools became wholly owned
[1]Metcash reached full ownership of Total Tools after increasing its holdings in stages.
- 2020
Total Tools investment
[1]Metcash acquired an initial 70 percent stake in Total Tools.
- 2016
Independent Hardware Group created
[1]Mitre 10 and Home Timber & Hardware networks were brought together.
- 2010
Franklins and Mitre 10 expansion
[1]Metcash acquired Franklins and added the Mitre 10 hardware business.
- 2005
Foodland transaction
[1]Metcash and Woolworths divided Foodland operations between Australia and New Zealand.
- 2000
Business renamed Metcash
[1]Following the 1998 majority investment by Metoz, the Australian business adopted the Metcash name.
- 1988
IGA introduced in Australia
[1]The IGA banner was introduced through the participation of ten independent stores.
- 1966
Entry into liquor
[1]Davids entered liquor distribution by acquiring Harbottle Brown & Co.
- 1935
Davids opened a wholesale warehouse
[1]A warehouse in Redfern established the wholesale and distribution foundation of the business.
Products and positioning
A B2B wholesale, distribution and retail-services partner that gives independent food, liquor and hardware businesses purchasing scale, logistics, banners, marketing and operational support.
Independent supermarket banner · 1988
IGA
Metcash's best-known food retail banner supports independently owned supermarkets with a common identity, buying arrangements, marketing, promotional activity and operating services. The network includes different formats and related banners serving local communities.
Liquor wholesale distribution · 1987
Australian Liquor Marketers
Australian Liquor Marketers is Metcash's liquor distribution arm. It supplies independent liquor retailers and other licensed customers and supports retail banners including Cellarbrations, IGA Liquor, Porter's Liquor, The Bottle-O and Thirsty Camel.
Hardware retail banner
Mitre 10
Mitre 10 is a hardware and home-improvement network within Metcash's hardware activities. The group provides participating retailers with wholesale supply, branding, marketing and business support.
Specialist tool retail network
Total Tools
Total Tools is a specialist tool-retailing network serving trade and professional customers. Metcash acquired it in stages and ultimately integrated it with the Independent Hardware Group into the Total Tools and Hardware Group.
Private-label grocery range
Black & Gold
Black & Gold is Metcash's value-oriented private label for food and everyday grocery products. It is designed to provide lower-priced alternatives to branded goods and compete with value ranges offered by major supermarket groups.
Private-label grocery range
Community Co
Community Co is a mid-price private-label range intended to offer products comparable with established branded alternatives. It is distributed through participating independent retail channels supported by Metcash.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025LocalEyes
Australia
Metcash launched LocalEyes as a retail media network linking advertising opportunities with its independent food, liquor and hardware ecosystem.
Outcome. The long-term commercial outcome was not specified in the supplied material.
Brand decisions
2025
Integration of hardware and tools operationsStrategyBackground
Metcash operated the Independent Hardware Group and Total Tools as major but separate activities.
Action taken
The businesses were merged to form the Total Tools and Hardware Group.
Aftermath
The integration created a combined platform spanning hardware, building supplies and specialist tools.
2020
Initial acquisition of Total ToolsM&ABackground
Metcash sought to expand its hardware activities into specialist tools and trade retailing.
Action taken
The company acquired a 70 percent stake in Total Tools, later increasing its holding to 85 percent in 2021 and 100 percent in 2023.
Aftermath
Total Tools became a core component of the group's later combined tools and hardware structure.
2015
Sale of the automotive divisionM&ABackground
Metcash had acquired a majority interest in Automotive Brands Group, which operated Autobarn and Autopro stores, in 2012.
Action taken
The automotive division was sold to Burson Group, now Bapcor, for A$275 million.
Aftermath
The sale reduced Metcash's exposure to automotive retail and reinforced its concentration on food, liquor and hardware.
Sale consideration. A$275 million (2015)
Recent events
Reported
EonX announces strategic technology partnership with Metcash[3]
EonX announced that it had entered into a strategic technology agreement with Metcash Services Company Pty Ltd, part of Metcash Limited. The partnership brings together EonX's technology expertise and Metcash's experience supporting independent businesses in Australia.
Sources3 sources
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