By James Atkinson
Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo has reassured customers that Corona stock will keep flowing during the changeover to the beer brand's new Australian distributor, Lion.
As tipped by TheShout, Lion on Saturday confirmed its appointment as the new Australian distributor for Corona Extra, after Grupo Modelo abruptly cut ties with Foster's the day before.
Grupo Modelo is now aiming to transition stock from Foster's warehouses to Lion's warehouses "as soon and as quickly as can be done", Garry Hastings, general manager of Grupo Modelo Oceania Region, said today.
"Based on that, stock will keep flowing to customers," he told TheShout.
|
Recent articles: Corona parallel imports confront Lion Little Creatures brewery sneak peek Woolies and Lion partner on new Hahn beer |
"There's stock being produced in Mexico as we speak, and stock on ships on the way here."
Hastings said it is Grupo Modelo's corporate practice not to divulge any of the finer points of the contract with Lion.
"Anything to do with contracts remains between the two parties who are party to the contract," he said.
"Our decision to move to Lion was purely a business decision taking all factors into consideration."
Hastings said Grupo Modelo had simultaneously been developing some exciting promotional activities for Corona in Australia "irrespective of who was distributor".
"There's some fantastic new consumer and trade activities coming out over the next few months to ensure that Corona keeps growing from strength to strength," he said.
Lion said in a statement that the new partnership complements its existing relationship with Grupo Modelo in the New Zealand market, where it is already Corona's preferred partner.
"This is an incredibly exciting development that strengthens an already enviable brand portfolio," said James Brindley, managing director of Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Australia.
Meanwhile, the country's top liquor retailer, Woolworths, has already spoken to Lion regarding the Corona brand and is looking forward to working with the company "long into the future", according to Steve Donohue, general manager of merchandising.
"We've worked with both CUB and Lion to ensure the supply of Corona to our customers continues at all of our stores," he said in a statement.
