MAJESTIC Wine has announced plans to close some of its 200 stores as it moves to prioritise its online service.
The company will be renamed Naked Wines, and its online service, called Naked, generates almost 45 per cent of its business with a further 20 per cent from international sales, according to a statement from the company.
Majestic Wine currently has a store in Victoria Road, Chester, however it is not yet clear which stores will face closure.
If the store does remain open, it will change its name to Naked Wines.
More details of the store closures - and any job losses - will be given in June along with its full-year results.
In a statement, Majestic Wine said that almost 45 per cent of its trade came from online sales, and a further 20 per cent from international customers.
Rowan Gormley, the company’s Chief Executive, also said: "It is clear that Naked Wines has the potential for strong sustainable growth, and we will deliver the best results for our shareholders, customers, people and suppliers by focusing all our energies on delivering that potential.
"We also believe that a transformed Majestic business does have the potential to be a long-term winner, but that we risk not maximising the potential of Naked if we try to do both.
"Where we have no choice but to close stores, we will aim to minimise job losses by migration into Naked."
The unexpected decision comes after the company revealed it was on target to hit sales of £500m this year, with profits also expected to be achieved.
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