News round up: All the world’s a (virtual) stage

As the pandemic continues to run it's grim course, news of new initiatives, charitable acts, mutual support and sharing continue to pour into Harpers' inbox, with the trade excelling itself when it come to showing an imaginative and caring face. Here are just some of those many acts and events that have caught our eye this week.

Naked/Majestic consumer-bases were a bad ‘fit’

The matchmakers behind the Majestic and Naked Wines merger have said that the ‘experiment’ was doomed to fail because of the inherent differences between the two sets of customers, and because of increasing consumer preference towards companies that have a unique USP.

Naked announces Gormley’s retirement and appoints Devlin as its new CEO

US arm of Naked Wines named ‘best wine club’

Nakedwines.com, the US arm of Naked Wines, has been awarded ‘Best Wine Club’ 2019 in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards.

Majestic Wine appoints former Tesco BWS director Robert Cooke

Majestic has appointed former Tesco BWS director Robert Cooke as its buying & merchandising director, Harpers can reveal.

First Majestic store receives Naked Wines rebrand

The recently announced rebrand of Majestic Wine to Naked Wines has begun with the company’s Wakefield store currently receiving a facelift.

Tim Atkin MW: What Rowan Gormley could learn from Tony Laithwaite

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

Shift from shop to showroom is vital for the future of retail, says Majestic CEO

The chief executive of the newly rebranded Naked Wines has defended the decision to trim down its 200-store estate while shifting investment focus to the online side of the business.

Sainsbury’s Asda merger “unlikely” to impact consumer choice as supermarkets offer to unload 150 stores

The tie-up between Britain’s second and third largest supermarkets will have no detrimental impact on the diverse and “quick to adapt” supermarket sector, it has been suggested.

Naked Wines awards Plumpton student £9,000 bursary

Naked Wines has announced it will award a Plumpton College wine student a £9,000 bursary as part of its 10th birthday celebrations.

Prosecco on the way out says Naked Wines

Sauvignon Blanc still reigns supreme as Britain’s favourite grape, while Prosecco is on the wane according to the latest from Naked Wines.

Naked Wines launches crowdfunded English fizz from Simpsons

Naked Wines has launched its first crowdfunded English sparkling wine in collaboration with Simpsons Wine Estate.

Majestic declares itself fighting fit for tough market ahead

Majestic Wine’s full year results to 2 April 2018 reported group sales up 2.3%, driven by underlying sales growth of 11% at Naked Wines, in line with the company’s forecasts.

Majestic reveals plans to accelerate Naked Wines growth

Majestic has announced it intends to accelerate growth by increasing investment in acquisitions for its Naked Wines arm.

Naked Wines boosts Majestic half year performance

Majestic Wine said it is ready to “put our foot on the gas and accelerate growth” on unveiling its half year results today.

New head of buying at Majestic

Majestic Wine has announced that a new head of buying will step into the role recently vacated by Matt Pym.

Majestic Wine ‘past tipping point’ as £1.5m loss offset by rising footfall and sales

Majestic Wine’s full-year reported profit before tax has revealed a loss of £1.5 million, set against a 15.8% rise in sales and 12% growth in the company’s customer base to 825,000 active customers.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Brexit: Prices hikes and freezes abound as stalwarts review prices

With the price of consumer favourites such as Marmite, chocolate and cheese set to rise, the drinks trade is having to make tough choices on how to cope with the devaluation of the pound.

UK Indian Summer and frost in Champagne spells success for English wines

Winemakers at Naked Wines are predicting a top vintage for English Sparkling wine thanks to a September heat wave and low rainfall.