Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has opened its newest store in Banstead, with no tricks and plenty of treats in-store for customers this Halloween.
Majestic has moved into a 1,700 sq ft unit on High Street previously occupied by Barclays, just a stone’s throw from Waitrose and less than half a mile from M&S Simply Food. The smaller format store, which is around half the size of an average Majestic shop, stocks a range of almost 1,200 wines – including a dedicated area for 72 Fine Wines – 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 Counter, offering customers the opportunity to try a selection of wines before they buy, receive tasting notes and get expert advice. Shoppers will benefit from further services including free glass hire for occasions such as weddings and birthday parties, and 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.
Online shoppers can order from Majestic’s full range of more than 1,200 wines through the retailer’s e-commerce website, for free next-day delivery via the store’s own dedicated van. Customers making their purchases online can opt to use Majestic’s unique ‘Shop Local’ proposition, which allows users to order from the stock available at the Banstead store, in real-time, for click and collect within as little as four hours.
The new shop will also support Majestic’s rapidly growing B2B division, Majestic Commercial, supplying wines to gastropubs, bars and restaurants in the local area. Majestic Commercial, which was crowned On-Trade Supplier of the Year at the Drinks Business Awards 2024, currently partners with more than 3,000 hospitality venues across the UK.
Banstead marks the 20th new store Majestic has launched since its acquisition by Fortress Investment Group in December 2019. It has already started trading in East Dulwich, Brentwood and Jersey during its current financial year, with new sites in Solihull and Plymouth both set to open during November. The expansion forms part of wider plans to launch an average of one new store per month during 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, Majestic has returned to growth and stability, and acquired Vagabond Wines out of administration in April, saving nine wine bars and 171 jobs.
Majestic CEO John Colley said: “We’ve had our eye on this particular store for more than a year as part of our expansion plans, but it’s been well worth the wait. We’re absolutely delighted to finally be opening in Banstead and we’re excited about serving the local community and bringing our award-winning wines and expert knowledge to the town.
“Our Banstead store is the fourth smaller format location we have opened in the past 18 months. All of them are trading well and engaging with thousands of new customers – and we know the people of Banstead will love our proposition, too.
“We remain huge champions of experiential, bricks and mortar retail at Majestic, and we are proud to be accelerating our expansion plans with new store openings planned in both Solihull and Plymouth next month. We’re looking forward to becoming a part of even more communities ahead of Christmas, and helping new customers discover unique wines, beers and spirits to enjoy with their family and friends during the festive season.”
