Any one know why the share price for MJW has fallen off a cliff? They had a good year to March 2004 and prelim results are coming out soon. Don't tell me we are all so upset by Iraq that we've all stopped buying booze.

Good question beaufort thinking the same thing myself, anyone else?

Ed: Also BTW are there any holders out there?

look at their valuation of stock?

From watshot MWM..

Majestic Wine - down 75%?
I bet I was not the only one who had to do a double take when checking share prices yesterday morning. The collapse in the price of Majestic Wine (MJW) leapt off the screen. It was down 75% at 229p, a fall of 693.5p. By the close it had improved a fraction to 231.5p.

The collapse was not a collapse, it was instead the result of a four for one scrip issue. We don't see that many scrip issues nowadays, unfortunately. I think that shareholders enjoy the prospect of having more shares in their favourite companies. Whilst from a market aspect such issues help to increase liquidity.

The share split will speed on the prospect of the shares getting to the previous 10 target, last night they closed at the equivalent of 926p. Now that target is 250p equivalent, which should be achieved in fairly short time frame.

I really do rate this company, its management and its potential. The shares are still a Buy.

Lost track of this one lately, results out on Monday 15th. price been going sideways.

Good outfit this lot, thinking of a quick in/out but surprised at lack share activity.

Any thoughts?

Just been reading about this,bloody hell,talk about a drop off. With 2/3rds of the sp gone there just mite be a small profit here short term stan,small buy i think for me,goodluck..

Only reason for the 2/3rds decrease Dave was a share consolidation so not concerned about that.

Just don't seem right that it ain't rising...i will continue to think on this one.

Thanks a lot

Stan.

I hope it was a share split. Otherwise they have problems!!! #:+))

It definitely was Fred.

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Majestic Wine PLC said it has appointed David Sinfield as marketing director, reporting directly to chief operating officer Steve Lewis.

Sinfield, who will join in mid-August, is currently head of category and direct marketing at John Lewis and has previously held posts as head of stores marketing at Safeway and brand marketing manager for TGI Friday's.

Market obviously likes the above (up over 4%), wonder if it's the start of a run up to the results a week Monday?

Going up as I type, 6% so far.

Majestic fizzing along
MoneyAM
Majestic Wine said pretax profit for the 53 weeks to April 2nd increased 14.1% to 16.2m.

The company said average spend per transaction increased to 123 from 118 the previous year, while the average bottle of wine purchased is now 5.75, up from 5.59.

The retailer with 136 stores in the UK and a handful in French cross-channel ports said it has made good progress in increasing the rate of its store-opening programme, with eight new stores opened during the financial year and three re-sites. A further site has opened since the year end.

It added the number of orders placed on its website continues to show significant growth, up 35% in the year and now accounting for 7.2% of UK retail sales.

The French Wine and Beer World operations continued to struggle, with like-for-like sales down 5.2%. However, declines slowed in the second half and the group added that since the year end it has seen a modest sales increase.

The wine warehouse chain said it has seen a good start to the financial year, with UK like-for-like sales up 4.9% in the first eleven weeks to June 18th.

It increased its total dividend 21.4% to 8.5p.

Having had a quick scan of the results the only slight fly in the ointment seems to be in the French operation, otherwise onwards and upwards.

Huge volume traded on these yesterday (mainly due to three big ones at 10am).

Another two just gone through at about 500,000 each......something cooking I bet.

I think MJW goes ex-divi very soon, so may be just dividend hunters.

Hadn't thought of that Harry, they go Ex.divi on the 10th July.

Nevertheless, I still think MJW is a very solid company & I have traded in & out for quite a few years. Shame that they have possibly overreached themselves in France, but their U.K. operation seems to be very steady.
I do think, however, that they are going to have to diversify at some point, otherwise there is going to be very limited growth. Lets hope the new marketing chap earns his salary!

a magnam of 13% 'frontera' chilean merlot for under 5 at tesco.

http://www.tesco.com/winestore/controller.aspx?Bc=60459+5512&Bc2=60459%7cMerlot*5512%7cChile&R=12381066

tesco given the chance will beat the shit out of any retailer, they got the outlets and the buying power.

"the average bottle of wine purchased is now 5.75, up from 5.59." ...so as you can see price is not the only consideration with some of the wine buying public.

Also you can spend a rediculous amount of time getting in and out of some of these supermarkets....and all for one item!

i always eat and drink in the aisles ,it saves the queueing

...So the rumours are true -):

Majestic fizzes ahead

MoneyAM

Majestic Wine said H1 pretax profit was up 16.7% to £7.5m despite an early-summer slow down.

The wine retailer said trading strengthened from the beginning of August as customers responded to additional promotional activity. UK like for like sales for the eight weeks from July 31st to the end of the half grew 6.4%, it said.

Majestic said the like-for-like sales for the four weeks to October 29th were up 2.2%. It added it expects the trading environment to continue to be challenging but said it is well prepared for the important Christmas trading period.

It declared an interim dividend of 2.8p, up 22% on the previous year.

Only had a quick look at the full results but relieved that there doesn't seem to any glaringly bad things in there.

i think Majestic knock the socks off their competitors ..... the stores are well run, well stocked with a wide range of wines to suit all, from the cheapest to fine wines, and more importantly, their staff are knowledgeable ...... all the above also used to apply to Oddbins until the french took over and the accountants got busy, knocking out about 25% of their better wines because they took up too much space without giving the return ...... big error as their results have shown

Up over 12% so far today, no announcement yet. The boy How is going or gone.

Wonder if there's an offer coming?

Don't hold these anymore.

Well spotted! Took this off my watch list a while ago, but maybe worth a quick punt. Hope figures due in june are reasonable.

Having looked at the chart, support at 200p is very tentative. Next stop 110p if 200 doesn't hold. Well below the 200 DMA now (Approx 300p). Very risky punt on second thoughts. Back on my watch list.

Retail = stay clear for the foreseeable future.

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200811071620057518H.html

Does anyone know what AIM Rule 17 is please?

MJW is almost certainly the best wine retailer in UK ..... not only do they carry a wide range, from cheap to (almost) top quality, but the staff are knowledgeable too.

there was a time when Oddbins were serious competition, but they went badly downhill once they were taken over by Nichiolas and their bunch of accountants ..... actually, i heard a story a few months back that the management were buying them back again, though whether or not it is true, i do not know.

MJW's chart (below), looks pretty ugly, and for sure they cannot have escaped the downturn in spending, but if sp dips to 140 again, that could be a good entry point especially with Christmas in the offing

In answer to my own question in post 27:

Disclosure of miscellaneous information
17. An AIM company must issue notification without delay of:

♦ the resignation, dismissal or appointment of its nominated adviser or broker.

A good business but with the large supermarkets to contend with they are in a tough position.
There was a decent note on Investors Champion (www.investorschampion.com) that addressed many of the issues on this one

Wonder Aim share of the past 10 years now in backwards momentum I would guess 60p..

Corporate sales dip at Majestic Wine
MoneyAM
Majestic Wine said this morning that in the first half it saw an increase in sales to private customers and its share of UK wine market maintained. However, the wine warehouse chain reported a decline in corporate sales, particularly Champagne. Down over 7% on the news.

I had to laugh about the decline in corporate sales, "particularly Champagne" -):

Business Financial Newswire
"Majestic Wine chairman Simon Burke will retire following the next AGM on August 6. Non-executive director Phil Wrigley, 57, has been appointed as chairman-designate to succeed him.

Wrigley was until recently chairman of retailer New Look, having previously been its chief executive, and has held senior management positions at Debenhams, Arcadia and BHS. Currently he is chairman of LXB Retail Properties. "

From Altium Secs:
"A very short Christmas trading update details that LFL sales growth (ex VAT) was 3.7% over the nine week trading period from 2 November 2010 to 3 January 2011. A commendable performance in our view particularly given the weather disruption etc. Clearly this represents a slowdown from the very strong +7.6% LFL position reported for the 6 months to end Sep 2010. Taking into account new store openings (which are H2 weighted this year), total sales advanced by 6.4% during the period.

Given no indication otherwise, we assume the company remains comfortable with the current market consensus of which we are very marginally above. Looking a year further out we are upgrading our TP to 400p but given the exceptionally strong share price performance (61% relative outperformance over last year) we are now moderating our recommendation to Hold. Nevertheless the long term attractions remain, not least the significant self-funded organic growth opportunity and the groups growing cash pile.

if you look at the chart, sp has challenged and failed at 400 a few times ..... this is a very good company, leaving the likes of Nicholas (was Oddbins) for dead

=========

post 31 - another great call of mitzy's!

worth dusting this one down i think .... was prodded by some good press comment over w/e and the company is most assuredly the best (significant) wine/beer specialist in the country ..... one of the strongest points is that MJW does not need to pay exorbitant high street rents, which is the bane of other retailers - e.g. nicolas and oddbins

Nice find cynic, may be worth a wee punt up to final results on 13th June say SB or CFD Limit Buy 402.0 initial target 420.0. Good support at 380.0 so scope to go short if reverses.

Err maybe not, just checked Cap Spreads spread far to big for me at mo nearly 10p.

you can place an order at whatever price you want ... it's not MM governed .... btw, live price shows 392.25/395.75

Just being cautious cynic, spread a big factor to consider when spread betting a stock you have never traded before. Cap spreads now reduced a wee bit 391.5 - 396.3, I'm watching for 50DMA to be breached first if that makes sense, which means my order would be triggered to early for my liking on current spread.

This is doing really well cynic, got in last Thursday @ 400.0 and despite sell off going up. Still can't get my head round the fluctuating spread though 0.25 as of now but has been all over theplace this week :O)

Just spotted it Buy rating @ Liberum target price 509.0

And out (for now) 418.2

StockMarketWire.com
Wine retailer Majestic Wine said group profit before tax increased by 26.6% to 20.3m in the year to 28th March (2010: 16m).

Total sales were up 10.3% to 257.3m (2010: 233.2m). Like for like sales in UK retail stores rose 5.3%.

A final dividend of 9.7p net per share will be paid, bringing the total dividend for the year to 13p, an increase of 26.2% on last year (2010: 10.3p).

Lay & Wheeler: Profit before interest and tax at 701k (2010: 23k).

Wine and Beer World: Like for like sales grew 23.6% with profit before interest and tax at 1m (2010: 0.4m).

Majestic said it saw a continued increase in the number of customers who have made purchases in the last twelve months, up 8.2% to 511,000.

Average spend per transaction declined just 2.5% down at 126 but there was strong growth in transaction numbers, up 12.5% to 2.0m.

The average bottle of still wine purchased at Majestic is now 6.94 (2010: 6.56).

Online sales increased 9.6% on last year and now represent 10.2% of UK retail sales.

Majestic Commercial: Sales to business customers grew 17.2% on last year and now represent 24.2% of total UK sales.

Sales of fine wine (priced at 20 per bottle and above) increased by 23.7% on last year, representing 6% of UK store sales.

There was an accelerated number of new store openings during the period, to twelve from six in the previous year.

Since the year end, Majestic has opened in Evesham and Weston-Super-Mare, giving us 165 stores in the UK.

In the ten weeks from 29th March to 6th June 2011, UK like for like sales were up 4.4%.

Steve Lewis, CEO, said: "We are delighted that so many new customers have chosen to shop with Majestic and are encouraged that all parts of the business are showing strong progress."

Ex-divi on the 13th july '11 (9.7p)

shame i didn't follow my own recommendation!

There are some on here who would love to add to MJW's turnover - Richgit, Balerboy Stan and not forgetting Bellinda to name but four -):

Stan, its being sorted by Ian.
ps. did not think to ask would it be this year. lol

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine will be announcing its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 26th September on Monday 14th November.

Majestic 's full-year results, published in the summer, showed no evidence whatsoever of a consumer slowdown sales were strong and profits were up 24pc, thanks to its relatively well-heeled customers spending 6.94 a bottle on average.

Majestic will be keen to show that it has continued to buck the slowdown in the run up to its crucial Christmas trading period, even though supermarkets have found shoppers putting fewer items in their baskets.

No analyst has published half-year forecasts but the company is expected to make a pre-tax profit of about 8.3m up from 7.3m a year ago

profits beat above forecast (8.8m) but market still doesn't much like, prob because (quite rightly) it has a jaundiced view of uk retailers

StockMarketWire.com
Wine retailer Majestic Wine said profit before tax increased by 20% to 8.8m in the half-year to 26th September (2010: 7.3m).

Interim dividend is increased 15.2% to 3.8p per share.

Total sales were 8.7% to 127.8m (2010: 117.6m) and like for like sales in UK retail stores up 2.7% (excluding VAT).

There was an increase in active customers of 7.7% at 534,000.

Online sales increased 8.7% on last year and now represent 9% of UK retail sales.

Eight new stores were opened in period and three since end of September bring total number of stores to 174.

Lay & Wheeler, the group's fine wine specialist, recorded profit before interest and tax of 292k (2010: 77k).

Majestic in France recorded profit before interest and tax of 658k (2010: 574k).

In the six weeks from 27th September to 7th November 2011, like for like sales in UK stores were down 1.1% with total UK store sales up 3.8%.

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive, said: "I am very pleased that Majestic has achieved profit growth of 20% in the half year and we are very well prepared for the important Christmas trading period."

bought a modest number last friday, but it's a pretty illiquid stock so tends to have a wide spread .... even so, a nice little profit ....

LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Majestic Wine PLC :
* Total UK store sales, excluding vat, were up 8.4% for the nine weeks of christmas trading
* Like for like UK store sales growth of 4.0%
* Brings like for like UK store sales growth, exc vat, to 2.7% for first 40 weeks of the financial year

chart is self-explanatory - black = 200 dma

Good call cynic, should be good for 420.0 with a bit of luck.

..Fewer, but better lifts Majestic Wine sales

Telegraph – 1 hour 44 minutes ago

MJW.L 401.50 +52.50

......
Majestic Wine (LSE: MJW.L - news) raised a glass to a solid Christmas as consumers treated themselves to top quality bottles despite the squeeze on incomes.

The company said like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to January 2 were up 4pc, with total sales excluding VAT 8.4pc higher. The strong end to the year saw total sales in the first 40 weeks of Majestic's financial year rise 2.7pc, the group said.

Steve Lewis, Majestic's chief executive, said: "We are very pleased with our sales performance over the Christmas period. I ... trust that they enjoyed the wines they purchased over Christmas."

He said shopper numbers were up and although the retailer sold fewer bottles than last year over the festive period, the amount that people spent on each individual bottle increased.

The average bottle price rose from £6.67 to £7.13.

Investec (Frankfurt: A0J32R - news) said in a broker note: "Normal service has been resumed at Majestic with a typically robust sales performance over the key Christmas trading period."

Majestic shares were up around 14pc to 398.5p a share in afternoon trading.

..

Majestic Wine will be providing us with its full-year results on Monday, and we should be expecting a further improvement on 2011 figures. There's likely to be a dividend of around 3.5% from the 416p shares, which is not the best around. But then, despite having been effectively flat over the past 12 months, the shares have actually almost four-bagged from the 110p level at the start of 2009.

Not invested here watching at the moment -

A company doesn't need to break new ground to be a big success. Majestic Wine has proved that good management and a twist on an old business model can still deliver.

Majestic Wine shareholders have cashed in on the roll-out of the 'by the case' wine retail model. The company now operates 181 stores across the UK and three in Northern France. Management believe that the ultimate size of the store portfolio could top 330.

Alongside the stores, Majestic also runs a growing online business. In a fractured market, Majestic grew online sales 7.8% last year, meaning 10% of all UK sales are now online. Majestic's bricks-and-mortar presence provides free marketing for its internet business, something its online-only competitors cannot match.

Majestic currently trades on 15.9 times the consensus estimate for 2013. The dividend is expected to hit 17.2p per share, more than twice the amount paid for 2007.

Preliminaries out today http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4614747

Ex-divi on wed 17th July, 11.8p.

Interims http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4707608

Investec Buy 0.00 547.50 495.00 620.00 Retains

These usually have a good end of the year.

stan - no doubt the thought will rankle with your socialist sensibilites, but i think you're right that christmas could prove to be a bumper time as public optimism improves as it perceives that the economy is indeed gathering pace - and a damn sight faster than predicted or elsewhere in eu

cynic don't forget the saying about statistics and damned lies.

so long as the plebs believe it (so do i actually) then that's all that matters - confidence breeds confidence like the converse

Blimey Alf, some of you Tories really are quite desperate for attention, Read the post again and then continue your thinking if you can... The word "usually" is the clue.

stan - perhaps i'm being unusually thick - blame the cold weather! - but i fail to see the point you're trying to make

... Yes, I think you probably do -):

But to be serious, Followed this lot on and off for a few years, not very much these days but think I'm right in saying that around Christmas their share price hits its high point of the year, so a good trade is in the offing if you're timing is right for a profit. Please check their 10 year chart for reference.

whatever old bean :-)
have added these to my watch list, but am trying to keep a lid on my pot, so would currently need to make a sale to find room (and for EZJ)

Yes, I'm doing the same thing at the mo.

Majestic Wine PLC ("Majestic" or the "Company") the UK's largest wine specialist, today announces a trading update.

On 16 June 2014 the Company will announce its results for the year ending 31 March 2014 and the Board now expects to report that profit before tax will be broadly in line with the previous financial year.

Although the 10 week Christmas trading period was satisfactory and we achieved like for like sales growth of 2.8%, we have experienced challenging trading conditions since the start of the 2014 calendar year. With two weeks to go until our year end we now expect like for like sales to be flat for the financial year as a whole. The latest market data published by Nielsen indicates that we have maintained our market share at 4.1%.

Furthermore, as part of our longer term growth strategy to increase the store footprint to over 300 and expand our e-commerce operations, the Board has decided to invest in the necessary infrastructure enhancements to underpin our future growth plans. These include new office space, a larger and more efficient distribution facility to handle higher volumes, establishing our own in-house e-commerce development team and increasing the size of our Commercial sales team. Building on our strong customer service ethos we are also increasing our investment in both staff training and in our CRM and data analytics capabilities. These investments are necessary to ensure that we can drive further growth although the costs in the short term mean that the Board now anticipates a flatter profit growth profile in the 2015 financial year.

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive, said:

"The Majestic proposition remains compelling to the consumer and our future growth prospects remain bright. I am confident that the investments we are making over the course of the next twelve months will drive future shareholder value."

Down nearly 20% on the back of that statement!

Worth a punt Harry?

So long as there was nothing in the budget to knock the sp even further, I reckon this drop is a little overdone.

Nasty.

N+1 Singer Buy 408.75 590.00 590.00 Under Review

Panmure Gordon note:
Trading update.
The group has experienced challenging trading conditions since the start of the 2014 calendar year and LFL sales growth has slowed from 0.8% YTD to flat and as such earnings are likely to be broadly similar to last year.

Outlook.
The group also expects a flatter profit growth profile next year reflecting investment in the business as it scales to 300 stores and capitalises on the digital opportunity. These investments will include new office space, a larger and more efficient distribution facility to handle higher volumes, establishing its own in-house e-commerce development team and increasing the size of its Commercial sales team. The group is also increasing investment in both staff training and in CRM and data analytics capabilities. FY 2014E results will be reported on 16 June.

Forecasts.
We anticipate a c5% downgrade to FY 2014E earnings to c£23.5m PBT and a c13% downgrade to FY 2015E earnings to £24-25m PBT. We will firm up our forecasts following a conversation with management.

Valuation.
Pre-downgrades the stock trades on a FY 2015E P/E of 15.6x an EV/EBITDA of 9.4x and yields 4.0%. The stock retains attractive long-term growth characteristics and we are inclined to view this as a blip – notwithstanding the need to invest in some of the older stores – and we reiterate our Buy recommendation but reduce our target price from 635p to 550p."

MJW Majestic Wine, gone long. Technical breakout on chart, Strong broker backing.

16 Jun 14 Majestic Wine PLC Investec Add 391.75 460.00 460.00
31 Mar 14 Majestic Wine PLC N+1 Singer Buy 391.75 - 470.00

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wines has reported an H1 pretax profit of £8.5m, from a year-earlier profit of £9.5m. Total group sales were £133.8m, from £130.2m. Its interim dividend was flat at 4.2p a share.

"Majestic has a compelling proposition with a differentiated model, strong customer service ethos and a clear strategy to deliver growth," said CEO Steve Lewis in a statement.

"The 2015 financial year is one of investing to put in place the building blocks to deliver future growth and shareholder value and we are progressing to plan."

Operational Highlights:

o Active customers up 1.9% to 643,000 (2013: 631,000)

o Average spend per transaction is £130 (2013: £127)

o Average bottle of still wine purchased at Majestic £8.02 (2013: £7.71)

o Market share gains supported by significant increase in sales of Picpoul from France, up 127%, Malbec from Argentina, up 41% and Rosé from Provence, up 32%

o Online sales increased 12.3% to £12.9m, now representing 10.8% of UK retail sales (2013: 10.3%)

o Sales to business customers up 4.9% to £26.8m (2013: £25.6m)

o Sales of fine wine (priced at £20 per bottle and above) increased by 22.0% to £9.0m (2013: £7.4m)

o Four new stores opened during the half (2013: 3)

Majestic Wine (AIM:MJW) - cracking little business but clearly changes need to be implemented http://tinyurl.com/mleowrq

i concur about this company, though the retail wine trade is notoriously tough especially with the supermarkets now having very diverse ranges in both quality and price

of course the staff at MJW are well-trained and knowledgeable, but what else can they offer that the supermarket does not?

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine said total UK store sales for the 10 weeks of Christmas trading from 28 October to 5 January 2015, were up 3.7%.

Over the same period like for like UK store sales growth was 1.1%. This performance brings the like for like UK store sales growth to 2.0% forthe first 40 weeks of the financial year.

The Christmas trading period was particularly challenging characterised by increased levels of competitive promotional activity to attract customers into store and online.

Whilst Majestic traded effectively over the period the Company invested 50 basis points of gross margin ensuring pricing remained competitive in this more promotional environment.

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive, said:
"Majestic delivered like for like sales growth of 1.1% in a difficult Christmas trading period characterised by promotional activity and we are now focused on delivering our final quarter's trading. We anticipate this competitive pricing environment will continue throughout much of 2015."

Investec note yesterday:
"Majestic’s Christmas performance has fallen short of our H2 forecast with a far more promotional environment hitting margins. We downgrade FY15E PBT by 6% to £22m and FY16E by 8%. This is clearly disappointing as H1 results pointed to a stable business with positive KPI movements. With yet another downgrade, concern over strategy & future growth potential is likely to overhang the shares until the actions from the expected strategic update in June start to come through. TP and recommendation placed under review.
UK store LFL + 1.1% for the 10 weeks to 5 Jan, which is behind our H2 LFL estimate of +2.2%. While disappointing, last year’s LFL comparable was reasonably strong (+2.8%). However, the market was particularly competitive with increased promotional activity resulting in a gross margin fall of -50bps vs our H2 forecast of -14bps. B2B fared better according to management, accounting for about one third of LFL growth, with the real pressure on the direct to consumer side.
Downgrade FY15E PBT by 6% to £22.0m (FY14 PBT £23.8m). While sales comparables are easier for the rest of FY15 (an estimated LFL of -1.1% in the last 16 weeks of FY14) and with infrastructure investment weighted to H1, we now assume recent sales momentum and price investment continues in FY15. The company expects the competitive pricing environment to remain for much of 2015, so we cut FY16E PBT by 8%, though we still expect year-on-year PBT growth to resume as there are c. £1m of non-recurring costs in FY15E.
Target price and recommendation under review. 2015 was always flagged as a year of infrastructure investment. However, with yet another downgrade, strategic concerns and a question over growth prospects is likely to weigh on the share price. Key for improving sentiment, we believe, is that the actions from the expected strategic update in June, together with the recent implementation of CRM targeting and a £5 price point, kick start growth again."

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wines is to acquire Naked Wines for total consideration of up to £70m, which includes about £50m payable on completion in cash, plus up to £20m contingent consideration payable in Majestic shares.

Cash consideration is being funded by new debt facilities. Naked Wines is a customer-funded international online wine business to create an international, multi-channel specialist wine retailing group.

The transaction is expected to be enhancing to fully diluted earnings per share in FY 2017. Rowan Gormley, founder and CEO of Naked Wines, has been appointed as CEO of the enlarged Majestic. Highlights:

· The transaction creates a significant strategic opportunity for both businesses by sharing complementary strengths: Naked Wines' online and e-commerce skills and Majestic's national store network. The transaction also opens up attractive international growth in the USA and Australia. Majestic and Naked Wines will continue to operate as independent brands

· Naked Wines has an excellent growth track record. For the year ended 31 December 2014 sales of £74 million, were up 40% year on year, with an EBITDA loss of £3.3 million. It currently has over 300,000 customers funding over 130 winemakers, underpinned by large and growing wine markets

· The Naked Wines senior team will remain with the business and will receive over 70% of their potential consideration in Majestic's ordinary shares, which will all be subject to performance criteria

· Majestic expects to announce adjusted pre-tax profit of approximately £21 million for the year ended 31 March 2015

· The final dividend for FY 2015 and the interim dividend for FY 2016 will be withheld, with future dividends to be progressively re-instated by FY 2018

A radical move that was perhaps needed by Majestic but a shame that it has come at the cost of dividends in the short term at least.

Read our latest research note at http://tinyurl.com/mseew2u

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine's FY pretax profit has slipped to £18.4m, from £23.8m. Revenue was £284.5m, from £278.2m. Cost of sales was higher, and gross profit margin was lower. Distribution and administrative costs slipped lower.

There was no dividend.

CEO Rowan Gormley said:
"Whilst my review of the business is ongoing it is obvious that we need to make investments to reinvigorate Majestic Wine. These investments will initially suppress profit in the short term but I am confident we can rebuild momentum in this excellent business.

"At the same time we aim to maintain the international growth trajectory of Naked Wine and crystallise the benefits of having the two businesses in the same Group. I am confident that we will create significant value for our shareholders over the medium term."

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine has launched Naked Wines' Click & Collect service offering across the UK, enabling its 150,000 'Angel' customers the option of collecting their wine free of charge from their local Majestic store.

Following the acquisition of Naked Wines in April 2015 and in line with the strategy to share the complementary strengths of both businesses, Majestic Wine has been trialling Click and Collect in 22 stores across the UK for Naked Wines' customers.

To-date over 2,900 orders have been placed using the Click & Collect service. As a result of the success of this trial and positive feedback that has been received, the service will now be rolled out across the country to all 213 Majestic Wine stores.

For no extra charge, Naked Wines' customers can now choose to collect their delivery from any of Majestic's stores, which will hold Naked Wines' customers wine for up to five days. Alternatively, customers can still opt for home delivery, and in either case can select their preferred delivery day.

Naked Wines' stock will remain separate from Majestic's, so wines that have been crowd funded by Naked Wines "Angels" will still be exclusively available to them.

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine is implementing a new pricing strategy throughout its store network and online, including removal of the six bottle minimum purchase rule.

This new pricing proposition has been created with the aim of making the shopping experience simpler and easier for both new and existing customers.

The decision to also remove the six bottle minimum purchase rule follows the previously announced successful trial in selected Majestic stores since Spring 2015 proving popular with both new and existing customers.

In addition, for this Christmas, if customers mix any six wines and spirits, they get:

· At least 10% off and up to 33% off all wines and spirits

· Money Back Guarantee - a full refund, without delay or debate, if you're not satisfied with any product

· Free delivery and free glass hire.

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Stan

You're not drinking Wine now are you, you big northern jessie

he's stopped and hence the further slump
hadn't you noticed that yate's wine lodges have almost disappeared?

About 70 bars left these days https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yates%27s

Canaccord Genuity today reaffirms its hold investment rating on Majestic Wine PLC (LON:MJW) and set its price target at 310p.

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine said it delivered about 30% of total sales during the period Oct. 27, 2015, to Jan. 4, 2016. Total sales growth was 42.6% compared to the same period last year, boosted by the acquisition of Naked Wines.

On a pro forma basis1 over the Period Group sales were up 12.2% (based on constant foreign exchange rates, excluding movement in en primeur sales). Further detail is provided in the table below.

Majestic Retail like for like sales grew 7.3% in the Period (versus decline of 1.7% in comparator period), supported by the previously indicated strategic investments to reinvigorate sales growth with a new and simplified pricing policy and improved customer experience in store and on-line.

As expected these investments resulted in higher costs and a slightly lower percentage gross margin during the period.

CEO Rowan Gormley commented:

"This is an encouraging result. Majestic Commercial and Naked Wines continued to grow strongly, and I am particularly heartened to see the Majestic Retail business grow as the impact of our better pricing, better service and better looking stores starts to take effect.

"However there is still much to do. We are only three months into our three year plan and although this performance is pleasing it is too early to call it a trend.

"We remain focused on our values of looking after our brilliant teams and suppliers and thank them for their support during the initial steps of transforming Majestic into a truly fantastic business."

Liberum Capital today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Majestic Wine PLC (LON:MJW) and raised its price target to 500p (from 400p).

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine said that Naked Wines, the online crowd-funding platform, has successfully hit a key milestone of a record GBP100m in sales since March 31, 2015, the start of the current financial year.

The company's drive to provide its 'angel' customers with exclusive direct access to independent winemakers through divisions in the UK, USA and Australia has resulted in over 300,000 'mature' angels - who have been customers for over four months - supporting more than 100 independent winemakers in 14 countries.

Reaching this key target highlights the continued success that Naked Wines has demonstrated since its launch in 2008 by focusing on its online social distribution model to deliver service, quality and authenticity to customers passionate about wine.

Naked Wines' customers get access to exclusive deals whilst ensuring that winemakers get the investment, support and feedback to grow and improve their businesses and wines.

Achieving GBP100m sales is in line with market expectations for Naked Wines for the financial year ending 28 March 2016.

Peel Hunt today initiates coverage of Majestic Wine PLC (LON:WINE) with a buy investment rating and price target of 540p.

StockMarketWire.com
Majestic Wine (WINE) reported a boost in like-for-like sales, driven by strong growth in the US.

However, pre-tax profit plummeted nearly 75% year-over-year to £4.7 million, which the company blamed trading conditions remaining tough in the UK, which is expected to remain that way.

Group Chief Executive Rowan Gormley said: "We have taken the first step on a long journey - it was a good start but it is just the first step. "Early signs are that the plan is starting to work. Strong sales figures reflect the hard work being done on the ground by the whole team. "The management re-organisation is now complete, I am delighted with the teams we have in place across the group.

"At Naked Wines we had a belter of a year - breaking through the £100m sales barrier and delivering a maiden profit. "We still have lots to do and although we are on course to deliver our three year plan, it won't be without challenges.

"Our plan however remains unchanged, as does our goal - £500m sales by 2019."

Liberum Capital today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Majestic Wine PLC (LON:WINE) and raised its price target to 510p (from 500p).