Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has thrown open the doors to its newest store in Solihull as the business accelerates its bricks and mortar expansion plans ahead of Christmas.
Majestic has moved into a 3,450 sq ft unit in Dominion Court, which is perfectly located within just half a mile of Waitrose, Touchwood Solihull Shopping Centre, Mell Square Shopping Centre and Solihull train station. The store stocks Majestic’s full range of more than 1,200 wines – including a dedicated area for 72 Fine Wines – plus premium beers, spirits, low and no alcohol alternatives, soft drinks and snacks.
Majestic’s experienced and qualified colleagues will 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 get expert advice. Shoppers will benefit from a host of other services across Majestic’s award-winning and market-leading proposition, including free glass hire for occasions such as weddings and birthday parties, and Majestic’s unique ‘No Quibble Guarantee’, which allows customers to return any wines they don’t like in exchange for a bottle of equivalent value.
Online shoppers can order from Majestic’s full product range through the retailer’s e-commerce website, for free next-day delivery via the Solihull team’s own dedicated van. Customers making their purchases online can opt to use Majestic’s unique ‘Shop Local’ proposition, which allows users to order from the stock available at the Solihull store, in real-time, for click and collect within as little as four hours.
The new shop will also support Majestic’s rapidly growing B2B division, Majestic Commercial, supplying wines to gastropubs, bars and restaurants in the local area. Majestic Commercial, which was crowned On-Trade Supplier of the Year at the Drinks Business Awards 2024, currently partners with more than 3,000 hospitality venues across the UK.
The Solihull launch marks Majestic’s fifth new store of its current financial year, and one of three it is opening in the space of just two weeks. The retailer cut the ribbon on its Banstead store on Thursday 31st October and will throw open its doors in Plymouth on Tuesday 12th November. The retailer has also opened for business in Jersey, East Dulwich and Brentwood since April, as part of plans to expand at an average rate of one new store per month during the coming years.
The ambitious growth strategy underscores the renewed focus Majestic has placed on experiential retail and hospitality offerings since its split from Naked Wines plc and subsequent acquisition by Fortress Investment Group in December 2019. Since then, following the reintroduction of former management and with the backing of its investor, Majestic has returned to growth and stability, and acquired Vagabond Wines in April, saving nine wine bars and 171 jobs from administration.
Majestic CEO John Colley said:
“Solihull is a location we’ve been targeting for some time as part of our expansion plans, so we are delighted to be bringing our award-winning wines and expert knowledge to the town just in time for the festive season. We know there are hundreds of discerning wine lovers in the local community – many of whom already shop with us in Shirley, Birmingham, or online – and this will make it even more convenient for them to discover new wines, beers and spirits they will love.
“Majestic remain huge champions of experiential, bricks and mortar retail, and we are proud to be accelerating our investments in towns and cities like Solihull. We’re looking forward to becoming a part of even more communities ahead of Christmas and in the coming years.”
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley, said:
“I was delighted to be invited by John Colley, CEO of Majestic Wine, to open the brand-new Majestic store in the heart of Solihull. This new store is good news for our local economy and brings more employment opportunities. With the nearby planned redevelopment of Mell Square, Solihull continues to strengthen its position as the place to do business in the West Midlands.”
