CUB sells beer over eBay

Australia | The country’s major brewer Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), which is owned by AB-InBev, is selling direct to consumers, as part of a “trial” conducted by AB-InBev’s ZX Ventures on the auction and e-commerce website eBay.

ZX Ventures was also the company behind the purchase of the Australian online alcohol retailer BoozeBud in 2018.

Talking to TheShout.com.au, an online news service, in January 2019, Lance Eerhard, ZX Venture’s Head of eCommerce, Asia Pacific South, confirmed that “ZX Ventures has been selling a limited range of CUB products on eBay since November last year. […] This is a trial and ZX is continuing to assess the response from consumers.”

Suppliers selling direct to consumers is not new, however CUB’s approach with BoozeBud and now eBay is a further challenge for retailers.

TheShout has looked at many of the products available via CUB’s eBay store and saw Corona Extra, Carlton Draught and Victoria Bitter listed for AUD 56 (USD 40) per case. Since there was also a 20 percent discount promotion available these products could be purchased for AUD 44.80 (USD 32) with free delivery. Crown Lager cost AUD 44 and Carlton Dry AUD 43.20.

Except for promotions, consumers usually pay far more for these beers in liquor shops.