Wine specialist Majestic seeks to differentiate itself through product quality and enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff who share their interest in good wine with customers.
Majestic was founded in 1980 and subsequently bought by former store manager Tony Mason, who had founded Wizard Wine, and former Bejam pair John Apthorp and Tim How, who acquired Wizard from Iceland after the sale of Bejam to the frozen food specialist. It subsequently floated on the AIM.
In 2015, Majestic bought online player Naked Wines whose founder, Rowan Gormley, took charge of the enlarged business. In 2019, Naked Wines sold Majestic to investor Fortress for £95m.
Majestic boss John Colley said at the time: “The key to Majestic’s future is simple. It’s the service our people provide, backed up by a range you simply cannot get anywhere else.”
Amid a slew of strategic shifts focused on online growth and store closures, it was refreshing to have some timely reminders of the power of bricks and mortar this week.
Majestic Wine has toasted a surge in sales during lockdown and lifted the lid on its growth plans, including new store openings.
Naked Wines chair John Walden is to step down from the role in August for personal reasons.
Majestic Wine has announced an expansion of its partnership with Deliveroo, both in terms of delivery locations as well as range.
Majestic Wine has poached its new chief financial officer from fashion retailer Oasis, as it looks to establish itself as an independent business under the ownership of a private equity firm.
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