Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has this week lifted the lid on £1 million of fresh investment into its store estate as the business reaffirms its commitment to experiential bricks and mortar.
Majestic has opened the doors to two brand new stores in the South East of England and completed two major refurbishment projects in the Midlands and Scotland as it steps up efforts to expand and modernise its nationwide portfolio of shops.
The retailer cut the ribbon on its East Dulwich store on Tuesday, marking its second branch in the area. The opening of the 3,900 sq ft shop will make it even easier and more convenient for local customers to discover and buy new wines, beers and spirits.
That opening was quickly followed by the launch of its Brentwood store on Thursday, after Majestic secured a 3,700 sq ft unit within close proximity to the Aston Martin and Jaguar car dealerships, and just half a mile from Junction 28 of the M25.
Both new stores stock Majestic’s full award-winning range of more than 1,200 wines – including dedicated Fine Wine areas – plus beers, spirits, low and no alcohol alternatives, soft drinks and snacks. Majestic’s experienced and qualified colleagues will host free wine tastings seven days a week from the in-store Tasting Counters, offering customers the opportunity to try a selection of wines before they buy, receive tasting notes and get expert advice.
Shoppers will also benefit from services including free glass hire for occasions such as weddings and birthday parties; Majestic’s unique ‘No Quibble Guarantee’, which allows customers to return any wines they don’t like in exchange for a bottle of equivalent value; and free delivery from the stores’ dedicated electric vans.
The new stores opened their doors just days after Majestic uncorked its newly refurbished shops in Bearsden and Stratford-upon-Avon, both of which re-opened on Saturday following extensive refits. Both stores have been equipped with new shelving units and a new store layout, with wines now merchandised by style (Sparkling, Red, White and Rosé) rather than by country. Accompanied by new store signage, the new shop floor layout is easier for customers to navigate, thus improving the shopping experience.
Majestic has now opened three new stores during its financial year-to-date, following its launch in Jersey in April, and plans to expand at an average of one new store per month over the coming years. The ambitious growth strategy underscores the renewed focus Majestic has placed on experiential retail and hospitality offerings since its split from Naked Wines plc in 2019. Since then, following the reintroduction of former management and with the backing of investor Fortress Investment Group, Majestic has opened 19 new stores and returned to growth and stability. In April, Majestic completed the acquisition of Vagabond Wines out of administration, saving nine wine bars and 171 jobs.
Majestic CEO John Colley said: “Investment in our store portfolio is at the heart of our growth plan at Majestic, whether that’s opening new stores or refurbishing our existing estate. Landing £1 million-worth of investments in the space of just a week shows how serious we are about our commitment to bricks and mortar, and our aim to open an average of one new store per month over the coming years.
“We are really excited about serving even more communities around the country, sharing our expert knowledge with them, and helping thousands of new customers discover new wines, beers and spirits they will love.”
