Matthew Clark and Bibendum merge into single business
Matthew Clark and Bibendum are being brought together into a unified route to market operation under the new Matthew Clark Bibendum proposition. Parent company C&C Group said the move is designed to simplify customer access, strengthen supplier opportunities and create a more integrated hospitality offer across the UK.
C&C Group has confirmed that Matthew Clark and Bibendum will merge into a single customer proposition under the name Matthew Clark Bibendum, or MCB. The two companies have been under common ownership since 2018, when C&C acquired them from the collapsed drinks wholesaler Conviviality.
According to C&C, the integration is intended to combine Matthew Clark’s scale and logistics network with Bibendum’s wine expertise and premium portfolio.
Single team and unified wine list
Under the new structure, customers will gain access to a single combined wine portfolio supported by one aligned specialist team operating across the country.
A spokesperson for C&C Group told the drinks business: “Integrating the Matthew Clark and Bibendum businesses into a single proposition will give customers access to our full range, through one aligned specialist team, while removing unnecessary duplication and barriers.
“Our customers will benefit from the value, range and service Matthew Clark is known for, combined with Bibendum’s industry-leading wine expertise and leadership, enabling them to drive profitable growth in an evolving hospitality landscape. In addition, our industry-leading service levels will remain.”
The company said the combined operation is intended to support hospitality businesses facing increasingly difficult trading conditions while simplifying engagement for customers.
Premium on trade focus remains
The move is likely to attract particular attention within the premium on-trade, where Bibendum has traditionally held a strong position among restaurants and fine dining operators.
C&C said the integrated proposition would continue to offer dedicated wine specialists and regional support teams while providing broader portfolio access across categories, including beer, spirits, cider and soft drinks.
Rob Sandall said: “Bringing Matthew Clark and Bibendum together is a confident step forward for our customer proposition by simplifying how we operate, removing unnecessary duplication and unlocking the full potential of our range, expertise and scale.
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“At a time when hospitality is under real pressure, our focus is on delivering value, quality and service, and on building a strong, sustainable business for the long term.”
Suppliers promised wider market access
Questions had emerged over what the integration could mean for smaller wine producers and independent suppliers previously working specifically with Bibendum.
C&C said existing supplier agreements would remain unchanged and described the combined operation as offering broader opportunities rather than reduced access.
A spokesperson for the group told the drinks business: “Our current producer and supplier agreements remain in place and continue to be of the utmost importance.
“Suppliers would benefit from a full market view, unlocking the widest customer opportunity in the UK with a range designed for the evolving hospitality landscape.”
Gillian Murray added that the integration would create “clearer routes to market, deeper collaboration and stronger, more effective partnerships”.
Long road since Conviviality collapse
The merger marks another major chapter in the evolution of the businesses since Conviviality entered administration in 2018. As previously reported by the drinks business, C&C Group completed the acquisition of Matthew Clark Bibendum that year with financial backing from AB InBev.
At the time, the purchase included Matthew Clark, Bibendum and subsidiaries including Catalyst, Peppermint, Elastic and Walker & Wodehouse.
Rollout planned for summer
Matthew Clark and Bibendum will continue operating separately during a transition phase before the full MCB proposition is implemented later this summer.
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