Majestic recorded its strongest Christmas trading performance in its 45-year history, serving a record number of customers and outperforming the retail alcohol market.

For the five weeks ending 29 December, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer reported a 0.9% rise in total sales, marking its 10th consecutive year of growth over the key Black Friday and December trading period.

This was achieved despite the wider off-trade alcohol market shrinking by 4.1% during December, according to Kantar Worldpanel data.

Performance was supported by the opening of five new stores during 2025 and continued growth at Majestic Commercial, the group’s fast-expanding on-trade supply business.

As shoppers delayed festive purchases, Majestic saw the biggest trading day in its history on 23 December, surpassing the record set in 2024. The retailer also recorded its busiest-ever Christmas Eve, driven by demand for last-minute advice from in-store experts.

Customer numbers rose sharply, with 10.9% more shoppers visiting Majestic stores year on year in the run-up to Christmas, bucking wider declines in UK retail footfall. The retailer said its in-store proposition, including free wine tastings, a curated range and highly trained colleagues, continued to attract shoppers.

“Majestic’s excellent Christmas performance capped off another stellar year of transformation and strategic progress,” said Majestic Wine Group executive chairman and chief executive John Colley.

“Following our purchase of the leading wines and spirits distributor Enotria and the creation of the Majestic Wine Group, we have also invested heavily in opening three new Vagabond bars, including the UK’s largest Urban Winery, as well as five new Majestic stores.

“We’re heading into 2026 with good momentum and confidence that our strategic plan will continue to deliver growth across the Group.”

Majestic Retail managing director Elizabeth Newman added: “I’m incredibly proud of all of our colleagues for delivering another record-breaking Christmas for Majestic. I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work and dedication.

“To achieve what we did in a retail alcohol market that declined 4.1% demonstrates the strength of the Majestic proposition. At a time when customers are moderating their alcohol spend but seeking out better quality wines, beers and spirits, it’s clear that Majestic’s differentiated product range, expert advice and market-leading service continues to be a winning combination.”

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