Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has opened the doors to its newest store in Rugby as it accelerates its bricks-and-mortar expansion.
The 3,600sq ft shop on the popular Junction One Shopping Park will stock the full Majestic range of more than 1,200 wines, plus beers, spirits, and low and no alcohol alternatives.
Majestic’s experienced and qualified colleagues will host free wine tastings seven days a week from the in-store Tasting Counter, offering customers the opportunity to try a selection of wines before they buy, receive tasting notes and get expert advice.
Customers will also be able to benefit from services including free glass hire for occasions such as weddings and birthday parties, and take advantage of free click-and-collect and local delivery, with the store’s own van delivering orders directly to customers’ homes.
Rugby marks the first new store opening of Majestic’s 2023/24 financial year and its 204th store in the UK. Majestic plans to expand at a rate of one new store per month – including sites in Newark, Crouch End, Christchurch and Chippenham – as it doubles down on its growth strategy.
Majestic launched five new stores in 2022/23, opening locations in Haywards Heath, Godalming, Stafford, Preston and a smaller high-street format in Harpenden. All five stores are engaging with thousands of new shoppers from across the communities they now serve, and delivering to local pubs and restaurants through the Majestic Commercial B2B division.
The expansion plan underlines Majestic’s renewed focus on bricks-and-mortar retail following its split from Naked Wines plc in 2019. Since then, following the reintroduction of former management and with the backing of owners Fortress Investment Group, Majestic has opened 11 new stores and returned to growth and stability, toasting its second-best Christmas trading period ever in 2022 and racking up a record market share.
Its on-trade arm Majestic Commercial has also celebrated a post-pandemic recovery, kicking off supply deals with more than 400 new bars, pubs, restaurants and competitive leisure venues during the past year alone.
Majestic CEO John Colley said: “We are delighted to be opening our doors in Rugby – a location we have had our eyes on for some time as part of our store expansion strategy. Everyone at Majestic is looking forward to serving the local community and bringing our award-winning wines and expert knowledge to the town.
“This is the first new store opening of our current financial year and we are excited about becoming a part of even more communities across the UK in the coming months.”
