Drinks sales growth 'holding up well'
The latest Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA by NIQ showed average sales in managed venues by value were 8% ahead of 2022 levels in the week to Saturday 30 September, followed by year-on-year growth of 4% in the seven days to 7 October.
Daily sales fluctuated in line with temperatures and the dates of matches in the Rugby World Cup and other sporting competitions, CGA stated, with notable upswings on Sunday 24 September, which saw an uplift of 16%.
Monday and Tuesday (25 and 26 September) also saw double-digit increases, though sales tailed off towards the end of the week.
Modest growth
Sales climbed in line with the temperatures over the first week of October, CGA added, with growth peaking at 6% and 7% on Wednesday and Saturday (4 and 7 October).
The figures come as the previous tracker indicated a dip in on-trade drinks sales across the seven days to Saturday 23 September.
In addition, analysis of CGA data by The Morning Advertiser also showed overall drinks sales had seen average year-on-year growth of 3.8% during the six months to 23 September this year.
The warm weather made it a good fortnight for the Long Alcoholic Drink (LAD) category, with cider sales up by 16% and 9% in the last week of September and first week of October respectively while beer not far behind at +12% and +7%.
Wine saw upswings of 7% and 4% across the two weeks, while soft drinks also saw modest growth, with increases of 5% and 3% against the same period last year.
Ongoing pressure
However, the spirits were in the red, finishing flat compared with 2022 at the end of September and down 5% across the first week in October.
CGA by NIQ managing director UK & Ireland Jonathan Jones said: “It’s good to see drinks sales growth holding up well with inflation as we start the final quarter of 2023.
“The unusually warm weather has helped pubs and bars to claw back at least some of the sales they missed over a dismal summer of weather, and the Rugby World Cup has delivered further valuable growth for LAD brands.
“It’s very clear that consumers remain as eager as ever to drink out despite ongoing pressure on disposable incomes, and that bodes well for the all-important festive season.”
