Metcash liquor CEO steps down

The news: Food and beverage wholesaler Metcash says the head of its liquor business, Chris Baddock, has quit the role for health reasons.

The numbers: Baddock oversaw strong growth in the liquor business since joining Metcash in 2019, with sales up almost 40% since then. He will take a four-month break and subsequently take up a part-time advisory role with Metcash.

The context: The wholesaler said John Barakat, the liquor pillar’s general manager of merchandise and operations, will lead the team while Metcash undertakes an extensive search for a successor that will include both internal and external candidates. Metcash is the largest supplier of liquor to independently owned retailers such as Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O and IGA Liquor.