Majestic sales surge

Majestic Wine saw a surge in sales over the Christmas period after the collapse of First Quench in November. They have reported an 11.7% increase in like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to 4 January, fuelled by Champagne and Prosecco.

Chief executive Steve Lewis said he was delighted with the sales increase and encouraged by their customers' response to the reduction in the minimum purchase to six bottles. The volume of transactions was up and the number of customers trying Majestic for the first time increased substantially. City analysts said the new six-bottle minimum purchase had helped to entice former Thresher customers to Majestic for the first time.