UK drinks retailer and supplier Majestic Wine has reported that sales increased by 3.2% in the ten-week Christmas trading period, ending 1 January 2018.
On a like-for-like basis, the group's retail sales went up by 1.3%, which it describes as a 'robust performance in a tough market'.
Growth was also boosted by Majestic's Naked Wines business, which it acquired in 2015, with sales increasing across all regions, including the UK (+7.4%), the US (+13%) and Australia (+33.1%).
Overall, the group says that it delivers around 30% of its total annual sales during the Christmas trading period.
"The fact that we have been able to grow sales and maintain margins shows that our winning formula of fabulous customer service from delightful people and delicious wines at fair prices works even when times are tough," said Rowan Gormley, chief executive of Majestic Wine.
"We are on track to achieve our £500 million sales goal by 2019, on track to deliver market expectations for the current financial year, and on track to accelerate investment in new customers, new winemakers, and more fantastic wines," Gormley added.
Leadership Changes
Majestic Wine has also announced the appointment of Joshua Lincoln as the new retail and managing director of Majestic Retail, with immediate effect.
Lincoln has worked as customer director at Majestic Retail since 2016. Before that, he oversaw sales and service at Naked Wines in the UK, US and Australia.
"I am very pleased to announce that Josh Lincoln has been appointed retail and managing director," added Gormley.
"Josh's promotion is richly deserved, having transformed our store network into an entrepreneurial retail proposition during his time as customer director," he continued.
The company has had a number of significant management changes this year. In June, the group's retail operations director, Rob Farnworth, left the company after 18 months in the role.
Meanwhile, managing director John Colley left the company in April, and group chairman Phil Wrigley retired in June.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
