Majestic welcomes biggest Christmas in 45-year history

Majestic Wine has welcomed the biggest Christmas in its 45-year history, outperforming the wider UK alcohol retail market as it recorded its 10th consecutive year of growth over the festive trading period.The UK’s largest specialist wine retailer saw total sales rise 0.9% in the five weeks to 29 December 2025, despite a shrinking off-trade alcohol market, which fell 4.1% in December, according to data from consumer research group Kantar Worldpanel.

Majestic said the “record-breaking” results were supported by the opening of five new stores during 2025 and continued growth in its on-trade supply business, Majestic Commercial, which serves pubs, bars and restaurants.

Late festive purchasing helped drive sales, with the retailer registering the biggest trading day in its history on 23 December, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Christmas Eve was also its busiest on record.

Customer numbers increased despite a broader decline in UK retail footfall, as Majestic said it served 10.9% more customers year-on-year in the run-up to Christmas.

Sales growth was strongest in higher-value and specialist categories. Fine wine sales rose 4.8% year on year, while French wines increased 4%. Champagne and sparkling wine sales were up 2.6% over the five-week period.

The retailer also reported its strongest-ever December for rosé wines, with sales up 5%, while English wines rose 27% compared with the same period a year earlier. Wines from less established regions, including Greece, Germany, Austria and Hungary, recorded combined growth of 14%.

In the on-trade, Majestic Commercial supplied almost 200 additional hospitality venues compared with the previous Christmas period. The business also reported its highest-ever weekly sales to independent free trade operators during December.

Majestic Retail managing director Elizabeth Newman said: “I’m incredibly proud of all of our colleagues for delivering another record-breaking Christmas for Majestic. I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work and dedication. 

“To achieve what we did in a retail alcohol market that declined 4.1% demonstrates the strength of the Majestic proposition. At a time when customers are moderating their alcohol spend but seeking out better quality wines, beers and spirits, it’s clear that Majestic’s differentiated product range, expert advice and market-leading service continues to be a winning combination.” 

Majestic Wine group executive chairman and CEO, John Colley, added: “Majestic’s excellent Christmas performance capped off another stellar year of transformation and strategic progress. 

“Following our purchase of the leading wines and spirits distributor Enotria and the creation of the Majestic Wine Group, we have also invested heavily in opening three new Vagabond bars, including the UK’s largest Urban Winery, as well as five new Majestic stores. We’re heading into 2026 with good momentum and confidence that our strategic plan will continue to deliver growth across the group.”