C&C Group has put the finishing touches to the merger of its two major on-trade distribution businesses, Bibendum and Matthew Clark.

The businesses, which made the move to C&C after the collapse of Conviviality back in 2018, will now operate under a single integrated proposition dubbed Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB).

The move is designed to combine Matthew Clark’s scale and logistics network with Bibendum’s premium wine portfolio. The result, the C&C hopes, will be to create what the company describes as a “stronger, integrated route to market” for UK hospitality operators.

“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,” Rob Sandall, C&C Group England and Wales sales director, said.

“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.”

Beyond hospitality, C&C maintains a significant retail wine presence through Walker & Wodehouse and Bibendum Retail, which supply supermarkets, indie retailers and private-label programmes. The creation of MCB further strengthens the group’s ability to operate across both the on and off-trades, with particular attention paid to its wine operations. 

However, the merger also highlights the opportunity for suppliers across spirits, beer, cider and soft drinks. These categories will gain access to what the group describes as the “widest customer opportunity” in the UK on-trade by aligning teams and removing internal barriers.

Under the new structure, customers across both businesses will gain access to a unified master wine list, overseen by a single specialist team operating across the country.