The Naked Wines business, which funds independent winemakers to make exclusive wines at preferential price, posted adjusted earnings before interest and tax of £4.72 million compared with a loss £2.78 million, a year ago.

Total adjusted pretax profit rose to £6.8 million for the 26 weeks ended October 2, from £51,000 a year ago. Revenue rose 5.7 per cent to £217.4 million ($289 million).

Majestic Wines, which has 210 wine warehouses across Britain as well as two branches in France, said it expected full-year results to be in line with current expectations and added that it would look to boost sales in the medium term through higher investment in new customer acquisition.

Rowan Gormley, chief executive, said: “Two years in and profits are growing, our foundation is solid and we are ready to accelerate growth."

"We have the opportunities to invest in new customers and a team excited to focus on what they do best. It's time to put our foot on the gas.

“In this half, Naked Wines has demonstrated the quality of its model, people and management, by achieving profitability in all three geographical markets.

"It has become a disciplined business committed to continuous improvement.

“The focus on empowering our wonderful store teams in Majestic Retail has finally borne fruit, with improved staff engagement flowing through into improved customer engagement, which means improved loyalty and retention.”