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Christmas wine sales will peak on Monday, Laithwaite's predicts

Published:  10 December, 2015

Wine sales for Christmas - and for the year - will peak on Monday, December 14, according to sales data from online retailer Laithwaite's Wine.

As a result, the company expects to deliver 126,000 cases of wine next week. That equates to 1.5 million bottles of wine.

Laithwaite's also reports online sales from its 400,000-strong customer base to be up 51% year-on-year.

Some 58% of its annual Champagne sales take place in the run-up to Christmas, reflecting the strong association between Champagne and celebration.

The connection is less strong for Prosecco, with 45% of the Italian sparkling's sales occuring during the festive period.

Recent research from Prosecco producer Mionetto suggests that Prosecco is regarded as an everyday indulgence by 40% of UK consumers.  

Another leading online retailer, Virgin Wines, recently predicted a sales uplift of 33% this Christmas, driven in large part by sales of Prosecco and Champagne.

Prosecco sales at Virgin were up 170% year on year in December 2014, with Champagne sales up 45%.

David Thatcher, chief executive of Laithwaite's Wine, said: "Monday, December 14 is the most popular date to buy wine as many of us finalise festive plans prior to our last full week of work before the Christmas break.

"Our customers are based all over the country from John O'Groats to Land's End, so we have a good picture of the nation's habits and know this Christmas is set to go off with a pop.

"For those rushing to buy on December 14, we want to assure people that our last day to order for guaranteed Christmas delivery is December 21, so there is still time to make sure you are stocked up on wine or have sent that special gift."

Laithwaite's is now offering an expanded gifting service, which has seen Christmas sales hit £2 million for the first time.

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