Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has joined the Sustainable Wine Roundtable as the business doubles down on its pledge to grow in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Majestic is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and has already implemented a number of sustainable initiatives that will reduce its carbon footprint, including the introduction of fully electric vans and launching the UK’s first cork recycling scheme. Joining the non-profit, multi-stakeholder Sustainable Wine Roundtable will help Majestic accelerate that green agenda by sharing learnings and best practice with businesses across all areas of the wine trade.
Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is a unique coalition of more than 100 businesses, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations from around the world. It is the only global, independent roundtable that includes members spanning the entire value chain.
SWR drives action and knowledge-sharing between producers, distributors, retailers, logistics partners and researchers, in areas such as packaging, bottle weight, labour standards, low-carbon logistics and vineyard chemistry. It ultimately aims to develop a global sustainability reference standard that can be adopted and measured by businesses across the industry.
Majestic has joined SWR with immediate effect, committing to working with members to achieve our collective vision: ‘a world where high quality wine is produced, traded and consumed in ways that conserve and regenerate the natural environment, respect human rights and foster quality and inclusion’.
The move marks the latest planet-friendly pledge from Majestic as the business ramps up its sustainability drive. All 16 new stores the retailer has opened since its acquisition by Fortress Investment Group in 2019 are fitted with energy efficient LED lighting, and the business only purchases renewable energy backed by Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO).
Majestic has recycled almost four tonnes of cork during the past two years through the Majestic Cork Harvest, which allows customers to dispose of used corks at in-store recycling bins. The natural corks are repurposed and turned into pulp for the Eden Project, in Cornwall.
Majestic has committed to working closely with its suppliers to prioritise sustainable viticulture to give back to the environment, and has ramped up efforts to introduce more sustainable, organic and vegan wines into its proposition. Its own-label Chosen By Majestic range, which launched in June, now includes 17 wines, all of which are suitable for vegans and come in lightweight glass bottles, reducing emissions during the transportation process.
In November 2023, Majestic revealed ambitions to transform its entire fleet of 216 vans to electric vehicles by 2030 – five years ahead of the UK Government’s delayed ban on the sale of new diesel vehicles. The move would save 5 million diesel-powered miles and 1.2 million kg of CO2 emissions every year, slashing the retailer’s carbon footprint. The rollout of the new electric vehicles is already underway, with 35 Citroen eBerlingo and eDispatch set to hit the road before the end of Majestic’s current financial year.
Majestic chief pperating officer Rob Cooke said: “Majestic is determined to grow in an environmentally responsible manner and drive positive change for our customers, colleagues and the planet. But sustainability is far bigger than just Majestic – we know there is a lot of work to do, and we need to collaborate with companies right across the value chain.
“Joining the Sustainable Wine Roundtable will not only help us progress our own sustainability strategy, but provide a platform for us to make an even greater contribution to the future of the global wine trade.”
James Streeter, chair of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, added: “In order to make impactful, sustainable change, an industry has to move in the same direction and move together. This is particularly true of the wine industry, which is both international and highly fragmented with companies of all shapes and sizes across the world.
“We are delighted that Majestic has joined SWR. As the largest specialist wine retailer in the UK, they will be able to bring their influence to bear across the value chain and help the SWR to develop and implement practical, sustainable action.”
