Foodstuffs to set up liquor chain, says report

Supermarket co-operative Foodstuffs is to launch a nationwide chain of stand-alone liquor stores next year, according to a report in today's National Business Review.

According to the report, the stores will be called Duffy & Finn's, and will stock a full range of beer, wine and spirits. The stores will open from April next year.

Foodstuffs, which owns supermarket chains New World and Pak 'n' Save, will model the outlets on the successful Australian stores Dan Murphy's. Dan Murphy's is owned by Australian-based Woolworths, who had said they planned to roll out similar stores in New Zealand.

The news comes on the heels of discount retailer The Warehouse announced it was moving into liquor. The company has set up a joint venture called The Warehouse Cellars, which has applied for the necessary approvals to set up a store-within-a-store at The Warehouse in Frasers Cove, Tauranga. If this trial store proves popular the concept is likely to be rolled out around the country.

- NZPA