Coles Liquor’s 2025 Supplier Forum brought Australia’s liquor industry together at the MCG on 4 September to pop the cork on a night celebrating innovation, collaboration and growth.

Eleven suppliers were recognised for excellence in their respective categories, including Lion for Beer Supplier of the Year, Brown Family Wine Group for Wine Supplier of the Year and Campari Group for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Supplier of the Year.

“Lion took the spotlight, pouring in a winning performance by taking home three awards for the second year in a row: Beer Supplier of the Year, Supply Chain Partner of the Year, and E-commerce Partner of the Year, showing their ability to blend innovation and collaboration like a finely crafted brew,” said Coles Liquor.

“From exclusive products like XXXX Tropical to standout campaigns like the Heineken F1 Virtual Reality in-store activation, Lion has proven they always raise the bar, to ensure both exceptional quality and growth across the board.”

Coles Liquor Chief Executive Claire Lauber applauded the suppliers for their relentless pursuit of excellence in the industry.

“We’re only as strong as our suppliers, and we’re proud to work with more 1,200 supply partners that deliver drinks our customers can rely on for taste, quality and value,” she said.

“From pioneering product innovations which push the boundaries of taste, to sustainability initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, we want to recognise our suppliers for their great partnership with Coles Liquor and for continually thinking outside the box to deliver excellence for our customers.”

The Coles Liquor 2025 Supplier Forum recognised the following standout suppliers:

• Lion which won Beer Supplier of the Year for driving wins with products like XXXX Tropical and Stone & Wood Summer Pilsner, alongside successful activations such as the Heineken F1 Virtual Reality campaign and Heineken Silver New Product Development (NPD) launch.
• Brown Family Wine Group recognised as Wine Supplier of the Year for leading innovation with customer-driven insights, expanding St Hallett Faith into Cabernet Sauvignon and driving overall category growth.
• Pernod Ricard won Spirits Supplier of the Year for expanding their small-format segment offerings and supporting Coles Liquor’s major campaigns, contributing to growth and strategic alignment.
• Campari Group as RTD Supplier of the Year for setting the benchmark in RTD growth driven by Wild Turkey RTD and Aperol Cocktail Premix alongside the successful launch of Espolón RTD.
• 80 Proof as Small Supplier of the Year for delivering incremental sales with innovative products like Gee Up Mixed 10 packs and Sour Puss RTD, attracting a new customer demographic.
• Lion which took home the Supply Chain Partner of the Year for their flexibility and proactive data support during peak periods, ensuring smooth operations.
• Hill-Smith Family Estates for Sustainability Partner of the Year for becoming the first Australian winery to achieve Gold Member status with the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA). Their efforts in reducing carbon emissions, adopting lightweight glass packaging, and investing in renewable energy align with their net-zero goals for 2030 and 2050.
• Lion as E-commerce Partner of the Year for their strong collaboration in the online space, ensuring success through aligned strategies and execution.
• Pernod Ricard which won Retail Media Partner of the Year for their innovative use of Coles 360, delivering high-quality creative and omnichannel campaigns across their wine and spirits range.
• Medallia as Agency Partner of the Year for their support in the Tell Liquor NPS program, providing valuable customer insights which guided key decisions.
• Marisco Vineyards and Brick Lane Brewing (dual winners) as ELB Supplier of the Year with Marisco standing out for their commitment to delivering value for our customers and Brick Lane for their innovation in beer NPD, developing award-winning products that have driven category growth.
• Asahi Beverages as Product Launch of the Year for the Hard Rated Lemon Lime Zero Sugar, quickly becoming the No.1 NPD across Coles Liquor Group, showcasing Asahi’s leadership in RTD innovation.