Majestic's winning formula

Apart from an understandable blip in 2008, Majestic Wine have consistently returned enviable profits. Now, with fewer nationwide competitors and a keener customer proposition of a six- (rather than 12-) bottle minimum purchase, they have now announced they intend to double their number of outlets, from 165 to 330. That is in stark contrast to Laithwaites, who dabble in bricks and mortar retail alongside their main mail-order operation, and who announced this week a target of only four new stores in the next five years.

So, what can potential customers expect from all these new local Majestics? Well, according to...