The chief executive of Australian wholesaler Metcash, Andrew Reitzer, has announced he will retire as CEO in nine months.

In 2010, the company revealed Reitzer would stand down in three years. In an announcement to the Australian stock exchange today (27 September), Metcash confirmed Reitzer will stand down as CEO on 30 June and cease employment at Metcash on 30 September.

Metcash said it has begun succession planning. The board expects to announce a replacement in February, Metcash added.

Reitzer will work as a consultant for Metcash for three years following his departure and during this time he will be precluded from working with competing companies.