The Drinks Business reports that Fortress Investment Group is exploring a sale of Majestic Wine, with advisers being lined up and any formal process potentially starting next year. This matters because Majestic remains the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, with more than 200 stores and over 1,000 employees, and the possible sale follows a strong Christmas period in which the business posted growth in premium wine categories, including fine wine, Champagne, rosé and English wine.
Retail
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UK Off Trade Wine Outlook, Premium Holds Up As Volumes Slide
Drinks Retailing reports that UK off trade wine value is down 1.8% with units down 4.2% despite higher average prices, with sparkling outperforming still and red hit hardest, while a Freixenet Copestick executive says wines priced £7 and above are proving more resilient than sub £7 options, crémant and English sparkling are among the fastest growing areas, and alcohol free wine and canned wine are expanding quickly, even as further duty increases in February 2026 are expected to keep overall value drifting lower.