Drinks sales 1% behind v 2021
Sales fell just behind 2021 levels, but were 6% off the levels of September 2019, and even further behind after adjustments for inflation.
CGA managing director UK and Ireland Johnathan Jones said: “In a difficult week for many people in the on-trade, the pattern of trading just below previous years continued.”
Tough comparative week
The week was dominated by mourning for Queen Elizabeth II and the run-up to her funeral, with trading conditions in London particularly atypical.
While the week started well, with generally warm weather helping to lift daily sales to between 1% and 9% above 2021 levels from Sunday to Wednesday (11 to 14 September), year-on-year sales were than down by between 2% and 5% from Thursday to Saturday (15 to 17 September).
Category wise beer and cider continued a good run of year-on-year growth, with sales in both categories finishing 7% ahead of the same week in 2021.
However, spirits sales were down 16% against a tough comparative week last year when consumers were celebrating the full reopening of the on premise.
Welcome boost
Sales of wine (up 1%) and soft drinks (down 1%) were both very close to last year.
This comes as the previous tracker showed sales were 4% behind compared with 2021.
Furthermore, last week saw the Government announce support for the sector to tackle soaring energy costs as well as a freeze to duty rates on beer, wine, cider and spirits.
Jones added: “The Government’s relief on energy bills for households and businesses is a welcome boost to both consumers’ spending and operators’ margins, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to shore up trading as the summer draws to a close and the nights draw in.”
