Majestic Wine said that it is continuing to attract new customers, with a 10.3% increase in purchases from customers on its mailing list.

Total sales for the six months ended September 29 were up 21.8% to £69.1m. Pre-tax profit was £4.1m compared to £2.6m last year.

Chief executive Tim How was confident that “the differentiation of our business from the competition” would enable Majestic to continue “to grow strongly in an expanding UK wine market”.

Majestic said its three French stores in Calais, Coquelles and Cherbourg saw first half sales growth of 21.7%.

And in the UK five new stores had opened.

Majestic has appointed Paul Dermody as non-executive director. Dermody was previously chief executive of the De Vere group.