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Majestic has reported a 1.9% rise in total sales during the six-week period to 30 December 2024, beating its previous record for Christmas sales set a year prior.
The wine retailer’s performance was boosted by the opening of seven new stores during 2024 and the “strong” growth of its specialist on-trade supply arm, Majestic Commercial.
During the period, Majestic’s shops served more than 70,000 new customers for the first time, which helped it achieve its largest ever market share.
Meanwhile, its on-trade teams supplied almost 800 new gastropubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality venues compared to last Christmas.
According to Majestic, it had “its biggest trading day in its history” on Monday 23 December 2024, as shoppers again left it late to buy their wines, beers and spirits ahead of Christmas.
Sales of fine wines rose 4% during the period, building on last year’s 13% increase, while champagne and sparkling wine sales rose 4.7% and 5.3% respectively. Fortified wine sales were up 15%.
In addition, sales of Greek wines jumped 28%, Georgian wines grew 83%, and the popularity of Lebanese wines trebled during the trading period.
This strong Christmas performance comes five years on from Majestic’s separation from Naked Wines and acquisition by Fortress Investment Group.
During 2024, Majestic invested further in opening seven new stores and also completed the acquisition of Vagabond Wines in April, bringing nine wine bars, 170 colleagues and hundreds of thousands of younger consumers into its network.
John Colley, CEO of Majestic, said: “Majestic colleagues across all areas of our business pulled out all the stops to deliver another cracking Christmas for our customers. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a tough market, and I cannot thank our teams enough for their hard work and passion for what we do.
“Whatever the next 12 months brings, our focus will remain on doing what Majestic does best – offering quality, unique products at the best possible prices, and helping even more customers discover new wines, beers and spirits they will love.”
