A decision by CUB to sell beer direct to consumers via eBay has pub owners up in arms.

The Australian Financial Review reports that pub owners are “annoyed” by the move, with CUB currently in talks with the Australian Hotels Association about the situation.

AHA chief executive Stephen Ferguson said hotel owners were worried about the blurring of the lines between supplier and retailer.

“This is a new channel,” Ferguson said. “We’ve had issues raised by some of our members.

“We’re just trying to better understand what they’re trying to achieve and to let them know of our concerns.” 

Hoteliers have been reported to be “gobsmacked” by the move, which they see as a “further challenge for retailers”.

A CUB spokesman reassured:”We deeply value our relationships with local bottle shops and hotels across the country.” 

CUB began a trial in November to sell products via eBay in a direct-to-customer push conducted by ZX Ventures. ZX is the global growth and innovation division within the AB InBev group.

It follows the separate acquisition in August of Australian-based online e-commerce platform BoozeBud, which also sells alcoholic products direct to consumers.

Rodolfo Chung, ZX Ventures’ Australia head, said: “BoozeBud is a great fit for ZX’s global e-commerce business, where we’ve been successful in partnering with other entrepreneurs in developing their cutting-edge platforms.

“We want to help them deliver an unrivalled online shopping experience – with the best access to Australia’s rapidly expanding range of craft brewers, wineries and boutique distillers.”