CGA’s Future Shock report was produced in conjunction with the ALMR and focused on the weeks since the Night Tube was introduced on the Victoria and Central lines.
Operators were warned they “may have some serious thinking to do if they’re to thrive”, when the service rolls out further and the trends continue.
The research found total dry sales down across Zones 1-5 in areas close to a Night Tube station, with sales down 18.2% in Zone 1 and -19.6% in Zone 4. In Zone 6 dry sales were up 38.7% and up 11.9% in Zone 7.
The research also finds consumers’ interaction with the on-trade has already shows signs of evolving following the introduction of the service.
Spirits are the only category to have seen notable growth in the city-centre travel zones, while further afield wine, champagne and soft drinks have also seen an uplift.
Sales of different drinks categories across different travel zones shows changing attitudes among younger inner-city workers living in the suburbs – the late night revellers.
The report finds: “Once upon a time as a result of travel restrictions these consumers might have headed straight home to the suburbs after work on a Friday night and spend their money in the bars and restaurants nearby.
“Now thanks to the Night Tube they have more freedom to drink elsewhere without the concern of catching the last tube; whether that staying late in the city centre after work or stopping somewhere halfway.
“Either way there is a notable shift in where London consumers have been spending their money in the weeks following Night Tube’s introduction.”
According to analysis by CACI, if all the late night revellers getting the last tube home bought just one extra pint of beer, it would be worth £71 million in additional expenditure for the London late-night weekend economy.