The latest Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA by NIQ showed average sales in managed venues during the week to Saturday 9 March were 5% ahead of the same week in 2023.
Last week’s figures showed sales were down by 2%, which followed a 5% downturn over the previous seven days and three weeks of flat or marginal growth before that.
CGA said the data “raised hopes” for bright spring and summer trading after the “tough trading conditions” in January and February.
Notable increases
Sales were up year-on-year for six of the seven days of the week, notably on Sunday 3 March, when the Manchester football derby helped drive growth to 13%.
Midweek matches—plus favourable weather comparatives after a snowy March in 2023—powered increases of 12% and 9% on Wednesday and Thursday (6 and 7 March) while Friday (8 March) brought growth of 3%, aided by an Anthony Joshua boxing match.
Saturday 9 March was the only day to have recorded a small year-on-year decline of 1%, despite the benefit of the Six Nations match between England and Ireland.
Category wise, sport and better weather made it another good week for Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) categories, with beer sales up by 8% year-on-year and cider rising 11%.
Great experiences
Soft drinks (up 7%) had their most positive week for a while, and wine (up 6%) was also strong.
The spirits category (down 7%) had yet another negative week, although the figure was the second best since new year.
CGA by NIQ managing director UK and Ireland Jonathan Jones said: “After the challenges of January and February it’s great to see drinks sales starting spring in good year-on-year growth.
“It will hopefully provide a springboard for big on premise occasions like St. Patrick’s Day and the Easter bank holiday weekend.
“With events increasing in importance to overall footfall, it will be key for operators and suppliers to make the most of these by creating great experiences around them that will bring consumers out into the trade.”
