Following the launch of new banner group Bottle Stop, Paramount Retail has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy, announcing the acquisition of BoozeBud and Barrel & Batch and plans for a new store rollout.
Leigh Rowe, CEO of Paramount Retail, told National Liquor News the decision to acquire and rebrand online liquor retailers BoozeBud and Barrel & Batch allows the retailer to combine its physical and online retail via two omnichannel brands – Bottle Stop and Barrel & Batch.
Paramount Retail also plans to open more than 100 bottle shops over the next four years, including 75 Bottle Stop stores and 25 Barrel & Batch stores.
Rowe said: “Consumers today expect an omnichannel buying experience that flexibly delivers however they prefer to shop – be that in store, online or via click and collect. In contrast to a bricks-and-mortar chain that expands into ecommerce, as an ecom-founded business, we bring a very lean, data-driven approach that’s required to drive maximum profitability in a slim, competitive market.
“As a late entrant to the market, we’ve had the luxury of being able to survey the landscape and identify what works and what we feel could be done better. The dominant business models are large corporate-owned chains or banner groups. Both have pros and cons for the supplier and the consumer.
“We’re delivering a third model in Bottle Stop and Barrel & Batch: a chain of independently owned and centrally controlled bottle shops. We’re able to roll promotions and pricing out seamlessly with 100 per cent compliance. We can launch a new product in a matter of days via our ecom platforms and have it into stores within a week. It’s a combination of promotional polish, transparent data and speed that allows us to deliver something different for suppliers,” he continued.
An expanding retail footprint
In April 2023, the eDrinks division of Paramount Liquor, which merged with Paramount Retail in September 2024, acquired BoozeBud. According to Rowe, BoozeBud was rebranded as Bottle Stop in October to bring the online platform in line with Paramount Retail’s wider network and make it more retail-friendly
“We felt the BoozeBud brand was more of a big box concept, as the brand is quite in-your-face and was known for its aggressive pricing, however our extensive research showed that proximity and location is the number one consumer driver when it comes to choosing a bottle shop.
“We needed the Bottle Stop brand to fit in whether it was in a row of upmarket neighbourhood shops, attached to a hotel as a drive through, or as a large greenfields site on the highway. We’re pumped with the results – Bottle Stop feels more slick and contemporary than a lot of the older brands out there,” he stated.
Bottle Stop stores will represent Paramount Retail’s convenience-led brand, while Barrel & Batch will retain its focus on premium liquor, offering a curated selection of premium and exclusive wines and spirts and craft beer.
In expanding its network, Paramount Retail has acquired five Barrel & Batch locations in New South Wales, including Alexandria, Marrickville, St Peters, Darlinghurst and Paddington, in addition to three Bottle Stop stores in Victoria.
“We’ve acquired three Bottle Stop stores in the past two months: in Kyneton, Monbulk and Newport. Kyneton is open, with Monbulk and Newport to follow by January. That should give an indication as to the speed of acquisition,” Rowe added.
“We expect to launch about 20 stores during 2025, a mix of greenfields and established sites, with Victoria and New South Wales as our immediate focus and South Australia and Queensland following that. We welcome any enquiries from store owners looking to sell.”
Rowe encourages store owners who are interested in selling to contact Paramount Retail via stores@paramountretail.com.au to start a discussion.
