Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has toasted a record-breaking Christmas trading performance after significantly outperforming the off-trade alcohol market.
Majestic reported a 0.9% increase in total sales during the five weeks to 29th December, 2025, marking the biggest Christmas in the retailer’s 45-year history and its 10th consecutive year of sales growth during the key trading period. The impressive performance was delivered against the backdrop of a retail alcohol market that shrunk 4.1% during December, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel.
The retailer’s revenue was boosted by the opening of five new stores during 2025, and the continued momentum of its rapidly growing on-trade supply arm, Majestic Commercial.
As shoppers left it late to purchase their festive wines, beers and spirits, Majestic registered the biggest trading day in its history on Tuesday 23rd December, beating the record it set in 2024. It also clocked up its busiest ever Christmas Eve 24 hours later as wine lovers sought out last-minute recommendations from Majestic’s expert store colleagues.
Majestic’s unique and differentiated in-store proposition – combining award-winning, quality wines, free in-store wine tastings and highly qualified colleagues – drove a record number of shoppers into its stores during the festive season. The retailer served 10.9% more customers year-on-year ahead of Christmas 2025, at a time when UK retail footfall was in decline.
Majestic’s reputation for quality in key categories like Fine Wine, Champagne, Sparkling and France resonated particularly strongly with customers during the five-week period. Sales of Fine Wine rose 4.8% year-on-year, French wines increased 4% and the Champagne and Sparkling category recorded a 2.6% uplift. Majestic also enjoyed its best-ever December in rosé, with sales climbing 5% across the five weeks, while English wines jumped 27% compared to the same period in 2024. Delivering on its mission to help customers discover new and unique drinks, sales of wines from Majestic’s off-the-beaten track regions – including Greece, Germany, Austria and Hungary – grew 14%.
In the on-trade, Majestic Commercial supplied almost 200 new gastropubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality venues compared to last Christmas. Majestic’s B2B arm also recorded its biggest ever week of sales to independent free trade operators, and sold enough wines, beers and spirits to stretch 400 miles from its Support Centre in Watford all the way to Edinburgh.
Majestic Retail Managing Director Elizabeth Newman said: “I’m incredibly proud of all of our colleagues for delivering another record-breaking Christmas for Majestic. I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work and dedication.
“To achieve what we did in a retail alcohol market that declined 4.1% demonstrates the strength of the Majestic proposition. At a time when customers are moderating their alcohol spend but seeking out better quality wines, beers and spirits, it’s clear that Majestic’s differentiated product range, expert advice and market-leading service continues to be a winning combination.”
Majestic Wine Group executive chairman and CEO John Colley added: “Majestic’s excellent Christmas performance capped off another stellar year of transformation and strategic progress. Following our purchase of the leading wines and spirits distributor Enotria and the creation of the Majestic Wine Group, we have also invested heavily in opening three new Vagabond bars, including the UK’s largest Urban Winery, as well as five new Majestic stores.
“We’re heading into 2026 with good momentum and confidence that our strategic plan will continue to deliver growth across the Group.”
