Liquorland buys 20 stores from The Mill

Liquorland is operated by Foodstuffs, which also owns New World and Pak'n Save. Photo / Supplied

Liquorland has bought 20 stores from rival The Mill in a sale completed today.

The deal was signalled in September, when Liquorland indicated it wanted to purchase the stores.

Liquorland, operated by New World and Pak'n Save owner Foodstuffs, will have 108 stores following the purchase.

Fourteen of The Mill stores are in the North Island and six are in the South Island.
Foodstuffs managing director Steven Anderson said the group was was "delighted" to bring these 20 stores into the Liquorland business.

"It is a win for both the business and our customers," Anderson said.
"Each store will transition to the successful owner-operated, franchisee model that is in place throughout the Liquorland network.

Franchisees are directly responsible for their individual businesses and with the power of local knowledge, give our stores the edge that can only be achieved through an owner who is wholly invested in the success of the business," he said.

No positions at The Mill stores have been disestablished, he said.

The Mill is owned by Independent Liquor, which bought the 35-store retail chain in 2013 for $18.2 million. The company, owned by Japan's Asahi Group, put the chain on the block in June. The Herald was unable to contact Independent Liquor this evening over its plans for the remaining stores in the chain.