// Majestic opens new small store concept in Harpenden, half the size of the average Majestic shop
// The business plans to open a further eight new shops during the next 12 months
Majestic has opened the doors to its new small store concept in Harpenden as it trials new ways of expanding its brick-and-mortar presence.
The UK’s largest specialist wine retailer‘s new store is less than half the size of the average Majestic shop at 1,800 sq ft, allowing the business to test a fresh approach to reaching communities in key target areas of the UK.
Situated on Harpenden High Street, the business said the “store is perfectly placed to serve walk-in customers picking up a bottle on their way home from work”.
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Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of free local delivery, with the store’s own van delivering directly to customers’ homes.
The store will carry a curated range of more than 600 wines – including a dedicated area for 72 fine wines – in addition to beers, spirits and no or low alcohol alternatives.
Majestic said it has used sales data from existing stores in its portfolio to ensure it optimises the range across all key categories, including champagne, sparkling, Spain, Italy and Burgundy.
In-store staff will also 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 expert advice.
Harpenden marks the fifth new store from Majestic during its 2022/23 financial year, following openings in Haywards Heath, Godalming, Stafford and Preston.
Majestic plans to open a further eight new shops during the next 12 months – including sites in Banstead, Saltash, Thame and Truro – as part of a wider aim to add more than 20 branches to its portfolio.
The expansion plan underlines Majestic’s renewed focus on bricks-and-mortar retail following its split from Naked Wines in 2019.
Majestic chief executive John Colley said: “We are delighted to be opening our doors in Harpenden – a location we have had our eye on for some time.
“Everyone at Majestic is looking forward to serving the local community and bringing our expert wine knowledge to the town.
“The trial of this smaller format offers us an exciting opportunity to serve our customers in new ways and cater for a number of different shopping missions.
“The lessons we learn in Harpenden will be invaluable as we look to further grow our store estate.”
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