Champagne adds festive fizz to Majestic's figures

Majestic Wine reported a sparkling set of Christmas results today after consumers splashed out on champagne and "fun bubbles", such as Prosecco, over the festive period. The retailer said champagne sales rose by 10% in the nine weeks to 4 January 2010, with sales of sparkling wine – dubbed "fun bubbles" because at less than £10 it is more affordable – up 20%. Majestic Wine chief executive Steve Lewis said the resurgent demand followed an 18-month downturn, with orders from business customers, which were hard hit by the recession, also picking up. The strong taste for champagne, which accounts for about 15% of Majestic sales, helped the wine warehouse deliver like-for-like sales growth of 11.7% over the period. Lewis said the chain had done well as it focuses on top-end brands such as Veuve Cliquot and Bollinger, which start at £25 a bottle. "We are an important player for the champagne houses," he said. In 2009 Majestic lowered its minimum purchase from a dozen to six bottles. Lewis said this option had resulted in customers spending more per bottle, adding: "Life is too short to drink bad wine."