Celebrations without Covid restrictions brought tipplers flocking to the chains 200 stores on December 23 (Alamy/PA)
(Picture: (Alamy/PA))Fizzing festive sales at Majestic helped add to the party mood over the Christmas performance of big-name retailers, easing fears about the impact on high street of the high cost of living.
As tipplers geared up for the first celebrations in years without Covid restrictions, the 200-strong chain noted buoyant sales of English sparkling wine, Cava and Champagne, with its busiest ever trading day on December 23, as customers stocked up just before the big day.
The winter World Cup in Qatar lifted beer sales, even if England’s semi-final exit stopped short of getting the corks flying as the men’s team’s long trophy drought continued.
Majestic, famed for its highly trained and knowledgeable staff, reported a rise in over a fifth in sales from pre-pandemic levels in what it called its “second biggest Christmas trading period” in its 42-year history.
The company, now in private hands after separating from mail order specialist Naked Wines, said it kept prices across its beer, wines and spirits range down by 2% year-on-year “to help consumers meet the cost of living challenge”.
John Colley, chief executive, added: “Majestic colleagues across all our stores, distribution network and support centre pulled out all the stops to make it a successful peak period.
“Even when budgets are tight, our discerning customers demonstrated that the value, expertise, quality, experience and delivery service of Majestic means we are the best place for customers to find wines they will love.”
It plans to open five new stores in 2023, including one in Harpenden.
