Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, is forecasting a surge in sales across a number of categories ahead of Christmas as shoppers seek to discover new wines, beers and spirits to enjoy with their family and friends during the festive season.
With exactly two weeks to go until the big day, Majestic is predicting that Champagne, Rosé, English wines, orange wines and drinks from off-the-beaten-track regions including Greece will prove the biggest hits with customers during the countdown to Christmas.
Analysts at the retailer have forecast selling a bottle of Champagne every five seconds throughout December as wine lovers put the fizz into their festive celebrations. On average, around 40% of Majestic’s annual Champagne sales are made during November and December, and brands including Boizel, Bouvet and Cattier – all of which are exclusive to Majestic – are expected to fly off the shelves during the next fortnight.
Majestic is gearing up for its biggest-ever Christmas in Rosé as its customers increasingly buy into the style as an all-year-round option, not just for their summer BBQs. The retailer enjoyed its most successful December for Rosé in 2023 and said those sales are on track to rise 25% this year, helped by the popularity of its Peyrassol wines and the launch of Mythral in January.
English products have sparkled for Majestic this year as consumers look closer to home to discover new wines, beers and spirits, with the Balfour 1503 range of wines proving popular since launching in the summer. The retailer has predicted that sales of English still wines will grow 33% during December compared to last year. Majestic has added 35 new regional beers and spirits to its range this year following customer feedback, with shoppers keen to support their local breweries and distilleries this Christmas.
Wine lovers are becoming increasingly adventurous and sampling unique alternatives to traditional old world categories – a trend that Majestic expects to continue throughout the remainder of the year. Wines from off-the-beaten track regions are on course to grow significantly year-on-year, with sales of Greek wines set to double compared to last December. Majestic’s orange wine sales are also on track to double this month as customers opt for alternative options like the Lyrarakis Assyrtiko-Vidiano to pair with their Christmas turkey.
All of Majestic’s 212 stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Jersey will be hosting free wine tastings seven days a week in the run up to Christmas, with highly-qualified colleagues on hand to provide expert, personalised advice. Whatever a customer’s taste, budget, or shopping mission, Majestic’s knowledgeable store teams will be able to act as your own personal sommelier to recommend the perfect wine.
Majestic chief commercial officer Elizabeth Newman said: “Christmas is a hugely important time for our customers and we’ve worked really hard to curate our best-ever festive range this year.
“Champagne always flies off the shelves as shoppers celebrate in style with premium festive fizz, but we also think people will buy into less traditional categories throughout the holiday season. Our customers are becoming more and more adventurous with their drink choices, and the Christmas and New Year period is the perfect time of year to wow your friends and family by serving up something a little bit different. Wines from off-the-beaten-track regions like Greece and Hungary will be among the stand-out choices for shoppers looking to do just that, and orange wines are emerging as a popular new pairing for the Christmas turkey.
“Whatever your taste or your budget, there’s something for everyone at Majestic and our expert colleagues are here to help you find it.”
