Christmas bookings strong at leading pub group
Australia’s largest alcohol retailer is seeing a surge in sales as it heads into the key holiday trading period.
Endeavor Group’s retail division is off to a soft start in 2025/26 but sales at BWS and Dan Murphy’s started to pick up in September and the momentum continues into October, interim chief executive Kate Beattie told the company’s annual general meeting on Monday.
The company’s bar business had a better first quarter; sales increased 4.4 percent to $592 million; Ms Beattie credits this to hotel renovations, new food and bar menus and new gaming machines at many of the company’s 354 licensed venues.
“I am pleased to say that Christmas bookings are already very strong and we expect over 40,000 guests to come together and enjoy the festive celebrations with us,” Ms Beattie said.
But shareholders were less than pleased, with some asking questions about what the board was doing to revive Endeavor’s share price.
EDV shares were changing hands at $3.66 at midday Monday; It decreased by 0.1 percent compared to Friday and by 12.5 percent compared to the level at the beginning of the year.
“I recognize this has been a challenging year,” Chairman Duncan Makeig told shareholders.
Mr. Makeig expressed optimism about the fundamentals of change being implemented, including a revamped board and new leadership.
Former Virgin Australia, A2 Milk and Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka will take over as Endeavour’s next CEO on January 1, pending regulatory approvals.
“Jayne’s credentials are outstanding,” Mr. Makeig said.
Endeavor also appointed several new leaders; these include recently hiring Supercheap Auto managing director Benjamin Ward as the next managing director of Dan Murphy’s and Woolworths executive Jeannette Fenske as managing director of BWS.
Both will start in January, with former Qantas executive Catriona Larritt serving in the newly created role of chief customer officer.
The company has a group-wide strategic review due to conclude in the first half of 2026, with possible outcomes including the closure of Endeavor’s pub division and cutting costs.
A tally of proxy votes presented at the meeting suggested the remuneration report would narrowly pass with 78 percent support.
The company needs 75 percent to avoid a “first strike” on executive pay.
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