Independent Liquor Group
ILG CEO Paul Esposito
Jarrod White, Ian Noble, Tania Fullard and Nicole Saxby
ILG reports record growth at 2023 Family Reunion Independent Liquor Group recently celebrated strong group performance as the AGM headed to the Gold Coast. Members of the Independent Liquor Group
In his CEO Report, Esposito detailed
in Queensland and 33 per cent in Victoria.
(ILG) cooperatives came together on the Gold
an increase in sales revenue for ILG
Within the cooperative, the banner
Coast for one of the highlights of the ILG
from $414m to a record high of $497m,
groups also experienced increased sales
social calendar, the Family Reunion. Delegates
an increase of 20 per cent for FY23 and
revenue, sitting at 33 per cent for Super
celebrated a record year for ILG, taking the
82 per cent over the last three years. Over
Cellars, 23 per cent for Bottler and 19 per
opportunity to network and learn valuable
the year, members have also received a
cent for Fleet Street.
insights about the group and wider industry.
high of $17.7m combined cash and non-
ILG CEO Paul Esposito welcomed
cash benefits.
Looking at the performance of liquor categories at ILG in comparison to national
attendees with a reception at The Star’s
“This year’s performance is record
market data, ILG reported high levels
Garden Lawn, ahead of the two-day
breaking, we’re the second biggest
of revenue growth across all categories,
conference program, which reflected on
wholesaler. Our target this year was to
including 33 per cent for beer, 17 per cent
the achievements of the last year.
achieve $550m, we’re probably on track to
for spirits, 24 per cent for RTDs, 22 per cent
hit closer to $600m.
for wine, and 13 per cent for cider.
The following day was the Annual General Meeting (AGM) where Esposito highlighted
“Moving into Victoria, the level
During the AGM, members of both
the cooperative’s success across several areas
of demand and interest
has been
cooperatives voted on amendments
and later sat down with National Liquor
overwhelming. We hope to be trading in
to cooperative rules proposed by the
News to discuss the group’s performance.
Victoria by mid-November.
board, with the intention of reducing
“FY23 broke all records, highlighted by
“NSW and Queensland are still
administrative burden, future proofing the
a huge uplift in sales revenue, record return
experiencing double-digit growth, and
cooperative and ensuring good governance.
to members and record membership. These
regionally,” Esposito continued. “We’re
“Our cooperative rules are decades old, so
results have been delivered on the back of a
seeing a lot of people in regional Queensland
we needed to align them with more modern
strong strategic plan to build a stronger ILG.
and NSW coming across because they like
rules and take a national perspective,” said
“Growth must be the focus in every part
our platform, they like that they’re not told
Esposito. “The old rules would have hindered
of the business. This year, and every year
what to do or slugged with additional fees.”
us moving forward, so all we wanted to do
going forward, is going to be record breaking,
The group reported an increase of 16 per
was ensure that both cooperatives aligned,
because we’re not expecting to go backwards.”
cent in sales revenue in NSW, 21 per cent
and that the rules are updated. Right now,
10 | National Liquor News
