Managed pubs the winners as leisure sector soft drinks volumes fall

Food-led outlets “dominated the market”, the report says, with sales growing 4% by value to reach more than £2bn. Late night venues saw slight decline, whilst wet-led venues remained static in terms of both value and volume.

Draught sales accounted for more than half of soft drink sales in the channel, with value sales of more than £1.7bn. Carbonates remained the most popular type of soft drink, with a 77% share and increased their value sales by 2% to more than £2.2bn.

Only managed pubs saw sales growth by both value (+1.7%) and volume (+0.3).

Value​

The value of soft drinks to the independent sector fell by 3%, with volumes down 4.1%, while for leased and tenanted pubs the declines were 1.4% by volume and 1.5% by value.

The report, which uses figures from CGA, says: “Managed pub chains held fast as the leader of the segment, increasing value sales by 2% to more than £1.4bn, successfully tapping into the trend for casual dining and value for money.”

“Independent pubs continued to feel the pressure with value dipping marginally. Within the hotel, restaurant and catering sector, restaurants saw strong growth with value sales rising by 3%.

“Wholesale operators specialising in delivery service to the leisure industry benefited from the rise in casual dining, with value rising by 2% to take sales to £9.7m. Free trade drinks represented 39% of the total, worth over £4m in wholesale value.”

Category winners​

In terms of categories, colas again took the top spot, rising 1% in value to more than £1.2bn and accounting for nearly half of all soft drink sales in leisure outlets. Lemonade sales grew 4% in value, after static growth in the previous year, while sales of mixers increased 2% by value.

Value sales of energy drinks were flat, although they grew 2% by volume, while diet options saw strong growth in juice drink sales, up 14%.

Sales of flavoured carbonates fell 2% in value and nearly 7% in volume, and there were also declines in fruit juice and squash sales. Sales of water fell 3% by volume and value.

The biggest supplier was Britvic, with sales of £1.3bn by value and a 44% share of the market. It was followed by Coca Cola Enterprises on £1.1bn and 38%.