// Majestic Wine expects UK to drink 114 glasses of sparkling wine per minute for the Jubilee
// Majestic said English sparkling wine sales are up by around 58% like-for-like
Majestic Wine said it expects the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend with 114 glasses of sparkling wine per minute.
The wine retailer has predicted that 110,000 bottles of sparkling wine will be picked up from its stores between June 2 to 5.
Majestic said English sparkling wine sales are up by around 58% on a like-for-like basis, and it expects Nyetimber Classic Cuvée to top the best-sellers chart for the first time.
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“In terms of bubbly consumed, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee outdrinks Kate & William’s Royal Wedding back in 2011 by 23,000 bottles, making it a 21% increase – and Harry & Meghan’s marriage in 2018 by 43,000 bottles, a 39% increase,” the company said.
Meanwhile, data specialist Kantar has predicted supermarket sales increases across several categories.
Kantar head of retail and consumer insight Fraser McKevitt said: “With a four-day bank holiday weekend on the horizon, we’re expecting people to celebrate with friends and family.
“Looking back at the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, we saw a 10% boost in supermarket sales during the week leading up to the festivities. We should never underestimate the appetite for a party, especially a royal one.
“Summer refreshments back then were top of the shopping list and both alcohol and soft drink sales shot up. Beer sales rose by 23% [and] sparkling wine sales more than doubled.”
Majestic Wines said: “It’s a mixed picture across the nation, however. Sales of Prosecco are set to be the most popular in Scotland (one in four glasses), according to Majestic’s extensive customer research.
“The Home Counties will be the top English sparkling drinkers, whilst London is four times more likely to pop a cork than the rest of the UK and expected to consume the most Champagne and fizz per minute, at 860 flutes (or coups) per minute over the four-day weekend.
“Meanwhile, in the West Country, celebrators are more likely to go for Crémant and Cava.”
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