Member Article

Crowdfunded wine distribution business Naked Wines hits record £100 million sales

Majestic Wine PLC, the United Kingdom’s largest specialist wine retailer, has announced that Naked Wines, the online crowdfunding platform, has recorded £100m in sales since March 31st 2015, the start of the current financial year.

Naked Wines’ customers fund independent winemakers from around the world, in return for wines at wholesale prices. Founded by Rowan Gormley, the concept was launched in the UK on 1 December 2008.

The company’s drive to provide its ‘angel’ customers with exclusive direct access to independent winemakers through divisions in the UK, USA and Australia has resulted in over 300,000 ‘mature’ angels - who have been customers for over four months - supporting more than 100 independent winemakers in 14 countries.

Reaching this key target highlights the continued success that Naked Wines has demonstrated since its launch in 2008 by focusing on its online social distribution model to deliver service, quality and authenticity to customers passionate about wine.

Achieving £100m sales is in line with market expectations for Naked Wines for the financial year ending 28 March 2016.

Rowan Gormley, Chief Executive, said: “Hitting this latest milestone proves once again that crowd-funded, social wine distribution can deliver brilliant outcomes for all our stakeholders at the same time - from those who pick the grapes to those who discover and drink our wines.

“We’d like to thank our angels for being part of the Naked Wines’ journey so far and supporting independent winemakers whilst discovering some fantastic wines.

“We will continue to invest in Naked Wines and remain very excited about the opportunities ahead for the whole group.”