Grocery wholesaler Metcash expects to name a new chief executive in February after current boss Andrew Reitzer confirmed he will resign at the end of the financial year.

Mr Reitzer announced in February 2010 he would retire in three years time, and on Thursday the company set the date as June 30, 2013.

Metcash says its board has begun succession planning and expects to make an announcement about a new CEO in February.

After stepping down, Mr Reitzer will work as a consultant to the Metcash board for three years, providing strategic advice and assistance.

During that time, he will not be able to work with a competing company.

Metcash distributes groceries to supermarket chain IGA and owns Mitre 10 hardware stores.