Drinks sales down for second week in a row

The latest Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA by NIQ showed average sales by value in managed outlets across the seven days to Saturday 17 August were 1% behind the equivalent period last year.

It marked the third year-on-year decline in the past four weeks and the second downturn in a row, with the previous tracker ​having estimated trade was down by 8% in the week to Saturday 10 August due to “poor weather and civil unrest”.

Hesitancy 

The recent heatwave led to year-on-year growth of 8% and 14% on Sunday and Monday (11 and 12 August), but numbers were negative for the three days after that.

In addition, the return of the Premier League on Friday (16 August) helped drive growth of 9%, but Saturday sales fell back 7%, according to CGA.

The industry insight firm added the data demonstrated consumers “hesitancy” about going out after the riots in some cities and towns.

Better weather and the return of Premier League screenings made it a good week for the cider and beer categories, where sales grew by 10% and 1% respectively.

Varying performance 

However, soft drinks (down 1%), wine (down 5%) and spirits (down 9%) were all in the red.  

CGA by NIQ managing director Jonathan Jones said: “It’s been an up-and-down summer for many on-premise venues and suppliers, with trading performance varying widely from week to week and even day to day.

“It reflects very changeable weather in July and August, but also the contrast of powerful sales drivers like Euro 2024 and the major challenge of civic unrest. 

“We can be optimistic that conditions will stabilise as the summer closes, but year-on-year growth will continue to be hard-won.”