Naked Wine Regulatory News (WINE)

6 Jan 2005 07:00

Majestic Wine PLC06 January 2005 6 JANUARY 2005 MAJESTIC WINE PLC Christmas trading statement Like for like UK sales at Majestic were up 10.4% for the nine weeks of Christmastrading from 2 November 2004 to 3 January 2005. Tim How, Chief Executive of Majestic Wine PLC, said: "We are delighted with our sales performance over the Christmas period. Winesfrom Bordeaux, Italy, Chile and New Zealand sold very well and Champagne salesgrew strongly." Board changes John Apthorp will be retiring as Chairman following the next AGM on5 August 2005, when he will have reached the age of 70. The Board has agreed that he will be succeeded, as non-executive Chairman, bySimon Burke, who has been a non-executive Director of Majestic since March 2000.He is a very experienced retailer, having been Chief Executive of the VirginRetail Group and Chairman of Hamleys PLC. Commenting on the appointment, Simon Burke said: "John Apthorp has set a very high standard for me to follow. I am very muchlooking forward to working more closely with Tim How and his colleagues tocontinue the Majestic success story." Notes to Editors : High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free ofcharge from www.vismedia.co.uk For further information, please contact: Tim HowMajestic Wine PLC Tel: 01923 298200 Tim Thompson/Nicola CronkBuchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange