Silverwater. Goodbye to corner stores

Australia’s largest grocery wholesaler, Metcash, headquartered at Silverwater, has warned that the days of the traditional corner store are numbered as consumers flock to major supermarket chains, in search of $1 a litre milk and discounted groceries, and “modern” convenience store formats such as 7-Eleven, according to The Australian Financial Review.

North Ryde. Metcash acquisition

Grocery wholesaler Metcash, based at Macquarie Park, has received regulatory approval to acquire Brisbane-based point of sale (POS) system provider, Scanning Systems Australia (SSA). CEO, Andrew Reitzer, said the acquisition would enhance the company's ability to assist independent retailers to compete with the major chains. SSA provides electronic payment systems to independent retailers in the grocery, liquor, hardware, fuel and convenience sectors. Metcash brands include IGA, Cellarbrations, Bottle-O and Mitre 10.

North Ryde. $120 million boost to revenue

Grocery wholesaler Metcash, based at Macquarie Park, has won a supply contract with convenience store chain 7-Eleven that will add $120 million in annual revenue to its Campbells Wholesale division. The expansion of the contract with 7-Eleven, Campbells' biggest customer, is a welcome boost for Metcash as US bulk retail giant Costco prepares to open a second Australian store, in Auburn, this year.

Silverwater. Metcash advises ACCC of purchase

In a brief statement to the Australian Securities Exchange, the Metcash grocery group, at Silverwater, said it had advised the ACCC of its decision to acquire the 88-store chain from Franklins' South African owner, Pick 'n' Pay Retailers. Metcash, which supplies the IGA supermarket chain, announced in July that it planned to buy the loss-making Franklins from the South African Pick n Pay Group for $215 million.

Silverwater. Woman on board

Metcash, a marketing and distribution company, operating in the grocery, liquor and hardware wholesale industries, based at Silverwater, has appointed former Telstra executive, Fiona Balfour, as its first female non-executive director. Ms Balfour has over 30 years’executive experience in the services sector across aviation, telecommunications, health administration, financial services and education.

Eastern Creek Metcash distribution centre

Goodman Property Services proposes to construct a warehouse and distribution centre for Silverwater based Metcash NSW, at Huntingwood West. The estimated capital investment is $65 million. Operational full-time equivalent jobs total 600 workers

North Ryde. ACCC review of proposal

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has commenced its informal review of the proposed acquisition of Franklins by Metcash, at Macquarie Park. The ACCC has asked for submissions by August 19 and expects to make a decision by September 23.

Region. Metcash to expand

The board of food wholesaler Metcash has decided to establish a "mega-distribution centre" in Western Sydney adding to its centres in Silverwater and Blacktown. The company is yet to choose from two locations for the centre. "Over the next 12 to 18 to 24 months, we will slowly, slowly move dry, frozen, chilled, liquor, convenience store distribution onto the mega-distribution centre," Metcash CEO, Andrew Reitzer, said.