History

1927

Metcash’s story begins when 24-year-old Joe David opens his first ‘corner store’ in Woolloomooloo, NSW. He calls it ‘Davids’ – later it will become Metcash.

Joe David soon opens six more stores.

1935

Davids opens a wholesale warehouse in Redfern to support his expanding businesses.

Joe David sees this as a great opportunity to support other independent retailers, so he establishes the first professionally organised voluntary retail group and offers a Retail Services program.

1968

Davids enters the liquor market through the purchase of Harbottle Brown & Co, and continues to expand its offering.

1980

Davids expands rapidly as it acquires AG Campbells wholesale business.

1980's

Davids pioneers technological improvements – we’re the first to introduce scanning and labelling innovations to Australia to improve wholesaler and retailer ordering.

1980

Davids expands rapidly as it acquires the AG Campbells wholesale business.

1980's

Davids pioneers technological improvements – we’re the first to introduce scanning and labelling innovations to Australia to improve wholesaler and retailer ordering.

1987

The liquor group is renamed Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM), which grows to service hotels, liquor stores, restaurants and other licensed premises throughout Australia and later New Zealand.

1988

Davids introduces global retail banner ‘IGA’ – Independent Grocers Alliance – to Australia. IGA is known as the flagship independent retailers banner.

2000

Metcash Trading Limited (Metcash) is officially born, replacing Davids Limited. The name acknowledges the pivotal role South African owned Metro Cash & Carry plays in the strategic direction of the company, a majority shareholder till 2004.

2005

Metcash establishes a national presence in Food with the purchase of Foodland Associated Limited.

2010

Metcash acquires the Franklins brand and converts its stores to the IGA banner.

2010

Mighty helpful Mitre 10 hardware business becomes part of the Metcash family over the next two years.

2016

Independent Hardware Group is born, combining Mitre 10 and Home Timber & Hardware Group networks, bringing together leading independent hardware brands.

2020

Metcash acquires 70% of Total Tools (increasing to 85% in 2021). Total Tools is the franchisor to the largest tool retail network in Australia.

Today

United, we have strength in numbers and across the network we support our retailers to be the best store in town.