Key facts
- Tesco is reportedly weighing a takeover bid for Majestic Wine.
- Majestic Wine's owner, Fortress Investment Group, is considering selling the specialist retailer.
- Rothschild has been appointed to explore plans for the sale of Majestic Wine.
- Majestic Wine has over 200 UK stores and an on-trade distribution arm.
- Majestic Wine's revenues were £386m in the year to March 31, 2025, a 0.2% increase.
- Pre-tax profits for Majestic Wine fell nearly 50% to £7.7m in the same period.
Tesco is reportedly considering a takeover bid for Majestic Wine, the UK's largest specialist wine retailer. Fortress Investment Group, which acquired Majestic in 2019, has appointed Rothschild to explore plans for the sale of the business.
Sources indicated that a formal sale process may not occur for some time, with a deal potentially not being announced until next year. Majestic operates over 200 high street stores across the UK, alongside an on-trade distribution arm and a direct-to-consumer wine business. It was carved out of Naked Wines in a £95m sale to Fortress in 2019.
Since its acquisition, Fortress has pursued an expansion strategy for Majestic, opening 20 new stores and acquiring bar chain Vagabond Wines and on-trade distributor Enotria & Co. The company now serves as a significant wine and spirits supplier to restaurants, pubs, and bars.
For the year ending March 31, 2025, Majestic reported a 0.2% increase in revenues to £386m. However, pre-tax profits saw a near 50% decline, falling from £14.3m to £7.7m. The retailer attributed this profit drop to Labour tax policies and the transition to a new alcohol duty regime.