Jubilee weekend 'not the major boost' trade expected

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Jubilee of two halves: pub sales up over Jubilee but street parties dent trade over weekend (Credit: Getty/nicolamargaret)

The Jubilee bank holiday saw a lift in food and drink sales for Britain’s pubs, bars, and restaurants, however street parties dented trading over the weekend, according to CGA by NielsenIQ’s latest trading data.

CGA and NielsenIQ’s research revealed average on premise sales from last Wednesday to Sunday (1 – 5 June) were 5% higher than the average for the equivalent period over the previous 12 weeks.

CGA managing director UK and Ireland Jonathan Jones said: “It was very much a Jubilee holiday of two halves for operators and suppliers, with an early upswing followed by a tough weekend.”

Moderate uplift 

Wednesday saw a moderate uplift of 47% while Thursday saw the highest (54%) with Friday having seen the lowest at 7%.

However, sales dropped by 20% and 22% on Saturday (4 June) and Sunday (5 June) respectively as the nation participated in street parties to celebrate the Jubilee.

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The data also revealed food sales increased by 8% over the five-day period, while drinks sales achieved a 3% uplift with the spirits category, in particular vodka, seeing an increase of 12% as well as a 10% hike in cocktail sales.

Soft drinks and cider also saw a rise in sales of 11% and 12% respectively, while beer experienced a 4% drop.

This comes as last month saw business advisors Real Business Rescue predict an additional 8,280,300 pints would be sold over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.  

Key part 

Furthermore, the research also indicated total five-days sales increased by 8% in rural areas, 5% in high streets and 4% in suburban areas with London’s sales uplift below the UK average at 1%.

Jones said: “[The data] suggests excitement about the extra Bank Holidays but a desire to mark the occasion at home and within local communities.

“It’s not the major boost to trading that some had hoped for, but it does show that pubs, bars and restaurants remain a key part of celebratory occasions.”