Xmas 'make or break' for sector as drinks sales dip
The latest Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA by NIQ revealed average drinks sales by value in managed venues were down 0.2% in the week to Saturday 11 November compared to the same period last year.
It comes on the back of a similarly flat second half of October, followed by a brief flurry of growth around Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Everything crossed
CGA by NIQ managing director UK and Ireland Jonathan Jones said: “A succession of storms has disrupted a lot of people’s plans over the last month, and suppliers and operators will be keeping everything crossed for respite on the weather over the festive season.”
Year-on-year sales were in growth on four of the week’s seven days, peaking at 14% on Monday (6 November), before falling by 7% on both Friday and Saturday (10 and 11 November), attributed to chilly and wet weather in many parts of the country.
CGA added the softer trading may also reflect a pause in some consumer’s spending before the start of the festive season.
This comes as the latest figures from the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker also found October sales in managed pubs, bars and restaurants were affected by the start of Storm Ciaran.
Vital period
Category wise, wine was the top performing segment last week, as is often the case in poor weather, with sales up 5% year-on-year.
Beer (up 3%), cider (up 2%) and soft drinks (down 1%) were all broadly flat, while the spirits (down 12%) category had yet another tough week in the aftermath of Halloween.
Jones added: “Christmas will make or break the year for many pubs, bars and drinks suppliers and they will need to work very hard to attract consumers and maximise spend. News this week of a drop in inflation is hopefully a positive omen for this vital period.”
