Bridging the gap between suppliers and retailers.

Independent grocery Convenience & service stations Multi-store retail groups 7 days a week
What we do

Five ways we get your brand onto the shelf — and selling.

End-to-end retail support, executed by a team that lives in the aisles.

SALES & ACCOUNTSSVC 01

Sales & Account Management

We deliver real sales results for both individual retail outlets and multi-store owners, managing the account relationship end to end so your brand performs at store level.

MERCHANDISINGSVC 02

Merchandising

Whether it's in-store relays, planograms, or off-location displays like gondola ends and wings, you can count on us for brilliant retail execution every time.

SAMPLINGSVC 03

Sampling

Available seven days a week, our team provides supplier support for in-store sampling and the kind of customer engagement that turns interest into sales.

RELAYSSVC 04

Relays

Got a store refurbishment or a refresh of your in-store category flow coming up? Get in touch — we'll provide the support to ensure perfect execution.

STOCKTAKESVC 05

Stocktake

End of financial year, or buying or selling a store? We can provide an experienced stocktaking team to support the whole process.

About us

Getting quality products onto the shelves that matter.

At Direct Connect, we specialise in representing supplier brands and placing them into Australia's independent retail market — from IGAs and Friendly Grocers to FoodWorks and high-end fruit markets, helping get quality products onto the shelves where they matter most.

Our reach also extends to service stations, bakeries and cafes, where we've had strong success helping suppliers grow their footprint in high-traffic, everyday retail spaces.

But we don't just stop at sales. We also offer a dedicated merchandising service, ensuring your products are not only stocked but presented in the best possible way to maximise visibility and sell-through. Our hands-on team works closely with stores to maintain display standards and support product performance at every level.

Thanks to our extensive industry network, we regularly meet with key accounts, multi-store managers and business owners to showcase new products and explore growth opportunities. These relationships are the backbone of our business.

We pride ourselves on being honest, hardworking and reliable. Our motto is simple: if you're winning, we're winning. Whether you're an emerging brand or an established supplier looking for the right retail partners, we're here to help you grow.

Meet the team

The heart of our business.

Leadership Team
David

David DifrancescoDirector

With over 15 years in sales consulting and business development, David consistently delivers outstanding results through his ability to connect with customers and exceed expectations. A dedicated family man, he brings a driven, focused approach to keeping your product a priority for retailers.

Adrian

Adrian GeorgeNational Operations Manager

With over 15 years in business development and client relationship management, Adrian is known for strategic thinking, integrity and dedication to his clients' success. He has worked across a range of industries, helping clients identify opportunities, streamline operations and achieve measurable outcomes.

Wayne

Wayne HoltNational Sales Manager

With over 37 years in retail, Wayne brings unmatched knowledge, leadership and a deep network of industry connections. He has led sales teams of 200+ and managed operations for large independent retail groups, and specialises in building strong relationships with key national and multi-store accounts to secure product placements across the country.

Administration Team
Ella

Ella DifrancescoNational Client & Customer Relations Manager

Ella is the engine behind the scenes, keeping sales and admin running smoothly. With a sharp eye for detail, she handles supplier calls and emails, order processing, invoicing and store reorders — a vital link between our suppliers, stores and sales team.

Carlo

Carlo DifrancescoGroups Accounts

With extensive experience in the supermarket industry, including various roles within Metcash across multiple departments, Carlo brings deep industry knowledge. His professionalism and dedication ensure retailers have access to the most competitive ranges and deals.

Sales Team · NSW
Hayley

Hayley KikerBusiness Development Manager

With 20+ years across retail management, buying, merchandising, FMCG sales, business development and account management, Hayley is passionate about helping independent retailers grow. Having worked in both retail operations and supplier partnerships, she provides practical, tailored solutions and works alongside her customers as a trusted partner to improve ranges, find new opportunities and drive profitable growth.

Christie

Christie BanfieldSales Representative

With over 10 years of customer service experience in a healthcare setting, Christie has developed strong communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills while supporting people through a wide range of health and wellbeing needs. As she transitions into her role as a Sales Representative, she brings these skills with her, along with a genuine passion for helping people, building meaningful relationships and delivering positive outcomes for both customers and businesses.

Darlene

Darlene HoltSales Representative

With over 18 years in independent grocery and 15 years in sales, Darlene brings deep hands-on expertise. Having managed large-format stores and worked across all areas of grocery retail, she understands what drives performance on the shop floor and is a natural at building lasting relationships with store teams and suppliers.

Courtney MoussaMerchandising & Sampling Representative

With 8 years working with national brands, Courtney brings energy, creativity and a deep understanding of sales and merchandising. Known for her hands-on approach, she excels at building relationships with store teams and creating engaging in-store displays that drive results.

Sales Team · QLD
Melissa

Melissa LogieBusiness Development Manager / Key Account Manager

Melissa Logie is an experienced Key Account Manager & Business Development professional with more than 20 years in the FMCG industry. She specialises in building strong partnerships across independent grocery and retail channels throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Melissa is passionate about helping clients grow their brands through strategic relationships, commercial expertise and practical solutions that deliver lasting results.

Sarah

Sarah TipperBusiness Development Manager / Key Account Manager

Accomplished sales professional with 30+ years' experience across leading blue-chip organisations in the UK and Australia, with a strong focus on FMCG sales, merchandising, and medical sales. Proven track record of driving commercial growth across corporate and independent retail channels, underpinned by strong customer relationships and a customer-first mindset. Known for integrity, attention to detail, and consistently delivering results through a combination of commercial acumen and exceptional service.

In their words

What our partners say.

From suppliers we represent across Australia's independent retail network.

We've been working with Direct Connect Consulting for the past 10 months, initially across NSW and now into Queensland, and they've been a pleasure to work with.

What stands out is that they're genuine people who genuinely care—something that's hard to find. They're outcome-focused, reliable, responsive, easy to talk to and always available when we need them.

What I appreciate most is that they don't just point out challenges—they come to us with practical, honest solutions. Whether it's improving ranging, identifying new opportunities or helping resolve out-of-stock issues, they're proactive and keep the communication flowing—the good and the challenging. They've helped activate distribution, continue to build strong relationships with independent retailers, and have become a valued extension of our team.

The relationship has evolved into a true partnership where we can have open, honest and sometimes robust conversations, all with the shared goal of growing the business. That level of trust and collaboration is invaluable.

I'd have no hesitation recommending Direct Connect Consulting to any business looking for a trusted sales partner that care!

Reich, Hotshots

Direct Connect has been a fantastic partner for The Yoghurt Shop. Their team is professional, reliable and easy to work with, consistently delivering sales and services to a high standard. Their responsiveness and commitment to achieving great outcomes have made them a valued extension of our team. We highly recommend Direct Connect to any business looking for a trusted sales consulting partner.

Luke Bartlett, The Yoghurt Shop

We have been working with Direct Connect for the past 10 months and have seen a significant improvement in our sales. Their team has been instrumental in building a strong new customer base while also driving consistent repeat orders through their professional and relationship-focused approach.

What stands out most is the genuine care they show for our brand. They represent Blu Estate as if it were their own business, always acting with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to achieving the best possible results.

I highly recommend Direct Connect to any company looking for a dedicated and results-driven sales agency. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership for many years to come.

Frank, Blu Estate

Mezza Foods engaged Direct Connect Consulting a few months ago, and we have been very impressed with the results. Adrian, David and the team are responsive, easy to work with and have quickly become a valuable extension of our business.

Sam, Mezza Foods
Get in touch

Start a conversation.

Tell us about your brand or your store and we'll come back to you.

CoverageIndependent retail · Australia
Hours7 days a week

Your enquiry goes straight to David at Direct Connect.