Grocery wholesaler Metcash has announced Ian Morrice will replace long-serving CEO Andrew Reitzer when he steps down on June 30.

Morrice, who joined the Metcash board last year, headed New Zealand’s Warehouse Group from 2004 to 2011, and before that, worked at several UK retailers.

"Ian knows what it’s like to work in a fiercely competitive environment," Metcash chairman Peter Barnes said in a statement.

"He was schooled in the tough UK retail sector in companies such as Dixons and The Kingfisher Group, and has an intimate working knowledge of the Australian market."

Morris will have big shoes to fill: Reitzer is usually considered one of Australia’s best CEOs, having delivered consistent returns for shareholders in the highly competitive area of grocery retailing. Reitzer has led Metcash since 2005.