The latest Daily Drinks Tracker, formerly the Drinks Recovery Tracker, from CGA by NIQ showed average sales by value in managed venues were 16% ahead compared with the same week in 2022.
Attributed in part to the early-September heatwave, CGA said figures were a “welcome boost” following growth of just 1% across each of the previous two weeks.
Great relief
CGA managing director Jonathan Jones said: “After dismal weather through August and weeks of flat sales, last week’s sunshine was a great relief for operators and suppliers.”
This comes as the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker revealed “solid trading” for managed groups in August, which CGA described as “another sign” that consumers remain eager to visit pubs, bars and restaurants despite pressure on their spending.
Daily sales were in double-digit growth on six of the seven days last week, peaking at 25% and 24% on Monday and Tuesday (4 and 5 September).
On Saturday, the hottest day of the year so far, drinks sales managed to achieve a “commendable” 6% growth rate.
Stellar week
The data also showed a boom in sales for the Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) category while cider sales rocketed 54% from the same week last year, credited to high temperatures.
Beer was up 19% and soft drinks sales rose 19%, though wine (up 2%) and spirits (up 1%) had a much quieter week.
Jones added: “As we would expect, it was a particularly stellar week for pubs with outdoor spaces and beer and cider brands.
“As the temperatures drop and we move towards the last quarter of 2023, where like-for-like sales growth will be less impacted by weather, this flurry of sales will hopefully provide some momentum for trading.”
