Majestic Wine has acquired Naked Wines today for around £70 million. On the surface it is a straightforward but interesting business deal giving each a new injection of energy. Underlying this, however, is an interesting story of conquests and empires that are a lot less regal than they are imperial.

[read more here on Harpers]

The key is that Rowan Gormley, the entrepreneur behind Naked Wines, but also Virgin Wines and before that Virgin Money, has been appointed CEO of the acquiring business. What ‘assets’ were the real target in this exchange?

A lot more will be revealed in the days ahead of the strategy for the separate businesses and whether, and how, they might be combined, but as this unfolds, I think it would be instructive to look up the life story of one Julius Caesar.

“Caesar is considered by many to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.”

Rome too was once ruled by kings, but the military exploits of generals in the field became the route to power and these ‘imperators’ took over the Empire. No more ‘majestic’ rule, it was time for the new ‘imperial’ one. All subsequent leaders not only became known as Emperors, they even adopted the ‘title’ Caesar.

Maybe the newly combined business should change branding, not to Majestically Naked, but to Imperial Wines instead?

Just a thought

Hail Gormley!