First Choice Liquor Market Explained

First Choice Liquor Market
Type:Subsidiary
Foundation:2005
Location City:Tooronga, Victoria
Location Country:
Australia
Industry:Retail
Parent:Coles Liquor
Homepage:firstchoiceliquor.com.au

First Choice Liquor Market is a group of liquor superstores in Australia owned by Coles Group, and competes principally with the Endeavour Group-owned Dan Murphy's chain as a big-box retailer in the takeaway liquor market.

History

1st Choice Liquor grew out of the former Quaffers brand,[1] and sits alongside Liquorland and Vintage Cellars, Coles' other liquor brands.[2] The first store was opened in May 2005 at Tooronga Village in Melbourne.[3] Expansion of the chain was assisted with then owner Coles Group purchasing the Queensland-based Hedley Hotel chain and Mr Corks Liquor Group in 2006.[4] The chain comprised 93 stores as of May 2018.[5]

An ultra-discount no-frills banner of Wesfarmers, called Liquor Market (with a 'yellow water/beer drop' logo) had experimented with about half a dozen stores in Melbourne from October 2016, then Sydney.[6] [7] However, the brand name failed to gain major traction, thus, they have been merged '1st Choice Liquor Market' since 2019 after Coles Group was spun out from Wesfarmers, with many 'First Choice' stores switching from their traditional blue theme and signage to the yellow colouring.

First Choice Liquor Market expanded to Tasmania in February 2024.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coles renews liquor battle. 14 April 2005. 1 July 2008. All Business.
  2. Web site: Coles Liquor. Wesfarmers. 2008-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080720235139/http://www1.wesfarmers.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=273 . July 20, 2008 . dead .
  3. Web site: Retailer plays catch-up in battle of the booze. The Age. 23 May 2005. 4 June 2008.
  4. News: Coles buys Mr Corks for $51m. The Courier-Mail, Brisbane. 10 October 2006. 2008-06-04.
  5. Web site: The Aldi of booze launches as Australia's low price obsession continues. news.com.au. 19 October 2016. 21 December 2021.
  6. Web site: 28 April 2019 . Sales double at converted Liquor Market stores . 21 December 2021 . Drinks Trade.
  7. Web site: 2016-10-18 . Coles takes on Dan Murphy's with new LiquorMarket store launch . 2024-04-11 . Australian Financial Review . en.
  8. Web site: 2024-02-08 . First-ever First Choice Liquor Market store opens in Tasmania . 2024-04-11 . Retail World Magazine . en-AU.