The Majestic Story-Majestic

Majestic Wine Warehouses is the UK’s largest wine warehouse chain, with nearly 150 stores in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as three stores under the Wine & Beer World banner in the channel ports of France.

In most cases our stores are large retail units sited just off the high street, which allows for plenty of car parking and all the space we need to hold large amounts of stock on site. Our staff are highly-trained and are the envy of the rest of the wine trade so, if you need any advice at all, the best thing to do is turn to your local store team.

A History

Majestic was formed in 1981, initially with just a single store in London's Wood Green. The peculiar licencing laws at the time meant that the store could open all day only by selling a minimum of 12 bottles with each purchase. Times have changed, but we've found that this policy allows us to offer the best possible service to all customers who want to buy a mixed case of wine.

During the 1980s the company changed hands several times, gradually expanding into a small chain of some 30 stores. The most significant step came in 1991, though, when the current management team acquired the business and started the vigorous and exciting developments which continue to this day.

Under the leadership of Tim How (now CEO), Majestic became a public company in 1996, floating on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), since when we have gone from strength to strength.

In 2007 one of our store managers, Claire Dawson, won the Vintners Cup, the highest accolade of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust for the two-year Diploma course, and the company won the prestigious International Wine Challenge Wine Merchant of the Year trophy for the first time.

Online Sales

Majestic.co.uk was launched in April 2000, using a business model that is different to many 'bricks and clicks' retailers. Almost all online orders are passed to and delivered by customers' local stores. This way we can offer the best of both worlds: the convenience of e-commerce, and the unparalleled customer services offered locally - if customers need any extra help they can simply ask the store team when arranging delivery.

By 2007, online sales had risen to around £15 million per year with over 100,000 orders. Our new website was developed to help customers more easily find the wines they like, as well as suggestions for new products likely to appeal. Majestic's online service is one of the busiest wine sites on the web.

Fine Wine

In 2003 we opened our first temperature controlled warehouse dedicated to fine wine. We now have nearly 40 air-conditioned stores, but the largest amount of fine wine is still housed in the original St John's Wood store. From here we offer fine wine for sale online - when you place your order it is dispatched specially to the local store for delivery from where it will arrive with you in perfect condition.

Majestic in France

In 2001 we acquired Les Celliers de Calais, a successful 'booze cruise' business operating in the French channel ports for UK-based customers to stock up on shopping trips to France. Now known as Wine & Beer World there are three stores in Calais, Coquelles (for Eurotunnel) and Cherbourg. Customers can place pre-orders before travelling to collect their order, taking advantage of most of the Majestic range but at the competitive prices possible because of low duty rates in France.

Gift Solutions Online

In response to customer demand with offered a new service named Majestic Gift Solutions in October 2005. Designed to allow customers to buy less than 12 bottles, to help with deliveries to multiple locations, and to provide gift messages and attractive packaging, the service appeals to corporate and private customers looking for gifts rather than wines to drink themselves. Delivery is available the next working day or on a specific date to suit.