Majestic sales are up

Majestic's half-year trading figures to September 28 show its change in strategy to reduce minimum purchases to 6 bottles instead of 12 seems to be paying off. Like-for-like sales increased by 5.4% and pre-tax profits were up 9% to £6.1 million over the period. Sales to private customers continue to show strong growth, up 8.9% while corporate customers had declined. The chain also reported a 25% growth in online sales.

Majestic Chairman Simon Burke said the decision to allow six-bottle purchases, which took effect from September 1, had produced encouraging results and a small reduction in average spend had been more than offset by an increase in sales volumes.