Majestic Wine owner Fortress Investment Group is said to be weighing up the sale of the specialist wine retailer.
Fortress, which acquired Majestic in 2019, has appointed Rothschild to draw up plans for the sale of the business, Sky News reported.
However, sources told the publication that a formal sale process may not take place for some time, adding a deal may not be announced until next year.
Majestic, which has over 200 high street stores across the UK as well as an on-trade distribution arm and DTC wine business, was carved out of Naked Wines in a £95m sale to Fortress in 2019.
Since acquiring the business, Fortress has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme for Majestic, opening 20 new stores and growing the business through deals to acquire bar chain Vagabond Wines and on-trade distributor Enotria & Co.
As well as being Britain’s biggest specialist wine retailer, Majestic is now a significant wine and spirits supplier to restaurants, pubs and bars in the on-trade.
In the year to 31 March 2025, Majestic grew revenues by 0.2% to £386m, but saw pre-tax profits tumble almost 50% from £14.3m to £7.7m.
The retailer cited Labour tax policies and the transition to a “new and highly complex alcohol duty regime” as two reasons behind the drop in profits.
Fortress Investment Group was approached for comment.
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