Majestic has seen 11 years of growth

Sales reached £74.6m in the six months to September, up from £69.1m on last year, as the Watford-based firm marked up its eleventh straight year of growth.

Majestic said that the number of people on its database to buy drinks over the last year rose 8.7% to reach 337,000.

And its sales in outlets in Calais and Cherbourg rose by 2.8%, despite a drop in British shoppers visiting France.

"We are very pleased by Majestic's continued progress and see considerable opportunities for further growth, " chief executive Tim How said.

The average price of a bottle of wine climbed to £5.46 from £5.31 a year ago, while customers spent on average £110 per transaction, instead of £104 in 2003.

Over the period, three new stores opened in Inverness, Covent Garden and Chippenham. Another three opened this month at Marlborough, Ruislip and High Wycombe.