Brewer takes on liquor retailers

CARLTON & United Breweries’ owner AnheuserBusch InBev will sell directly to the public for the first time as it takes on dominant online liquor sellers Dan Murphy’s and Liquorland.

The world’s biggest brewer yesterday revealed it had bought online alcohol retailer BoozeBud for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition would enable AB InBev, which took control of CUB in late 2016, to increase its investment in the e-commerce platform.

BoozeBud was formed by former investment bankers four years ago and works with the world’s biggest beverage companies, as well as more than 400 of Australia’s craft breweries, distilleries and boutique wineries.

In Sydney it offers same- day delivery to metro customers. It delivers within three to four days to addresses in Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide but plans to launch same-day delivery offers in Melbourne and Brisbane soon.

“Alcohol sales from an online perspective are still in their infancy in Australia and it is an immature market,” cofounder Andy Williamson said. “We have always had plans to build the leading online player in the market.”

CUB also revealed Australian business unit president Peter Filipovic would take over as chief executive in January. He would replace Jan Craps, who would become CUB’s executive chairman and take on a larger role overseeing AB InBev’s Asian interests, based in Shanghai.