Majestic Wine has announced that sales increased sharply over the Christmas season, boosted by a wider product range and last month’s relatively mild spell of weather.
In its latest trading update, the chain revealed like-for-like sales were up four per cent year-on-year in the nine weeks to January 2nd, while total sales excluding VAT rose by 8.4 per cent. Majestic opened a string of new outlets last year, taking its total number of stores to 175.
“We are very pleased with our sales performance over the Christmas period,” said chief executive Steve Lewis. “I am delighted that an increasing number of customers choose to shop with Majestic. I would like to thank them all for their loyalty.”
While the festive period is traditionally the most important time of the year for the retail sector, it is particularly crucial for Majestic, which makes around 40 per cent of its annual revenues in November and December.
Earlier this week, food, fashion and homeware giant Marks & Spencer indicated it would look to cut prices in 2012, after a relatively weak showing over Christmas.
