Majestic Wine saw like-for-like sales rise four per cent year-on-year during the nine weeks to January 2nd 2012, according to a trading statement published this morning.
Total UK sales excluding VAT increased 8.4 per cent over the same period, with the wine retailer benefiting from a larger property portfolio, which now totals 175 stores, after a number of new openings in 2011, and is set to expand further in the months ahead.
Although not mentioned in today‘s trading update, better weather than the festive period last year and an increased product range are likely to have contributed to Majestic‘s encouraging sales growth.
Strong Christmas trade is crucial for the retailer, which typically makes around 40 per cent of its annual revenues in November and December each year.
Commenting on today‘s results, CEO of Majestic Steve Lewis said: “We are very pleased with our sales performance over the Christmas period.
“I am delighted that an increasing number of customers choose to shop with Majestic. I would like to thank them all for their loyalty to Majestic and trust that they enjoyed the wines they purchased over Christmas.”
Last month, Lewis told Retail Gazette that he expects the company to launch another TV advertising drive this spring following the success of its inaugural marketing campaign of this type in the build-up to Christmas 2011.
