Majestic announces festive sales boost

UK wine retailer Majestic has said that its sales in the final quarter of last year were given a major fillip by the company’s largest ever day of trading on 23 December.

Sales in Q3 were up 4.3% like-for-like, with increased sales of English wines, Crémant and spiced rums leading the way.

Majestic said that “a renewed focus on in-store experience”, “a revamped product range” and “returning loyal customers” helped drive the buoyant festive sales period.

Volume growth was particularly concentrated in spirits with sales of rum up 24% and brandy up 33% while in wines English wine sales rose 9%, Champagne 11% and Crémant 32%. Sales were such that on 23 December, the company apparently experienced its largest ever day of trade in its 40-year history.

New chief executive John Colley said: “What this result shows is that a strategy built around bricks, clicks and flicks can be a success in 2020 and beyond. We know in Majestic we have all the ingredients for a successful company, and our customers clearly responded well to the news we’d be keeping stores open – right across the country. Backed up by an exciting range, with plenty of new arrivals and relisted customer favourites, we’ve pulled out an impressive performance.

“The work now begins on building a future which takes the historic strengths of Majestic; our brilliant people, physical presence and trend-leading range – and turn that into long term growth for our suppliers and staff.”