Over 45m pints sold during August summer bank holiday

Figures from real time market intelligence firm Oxford Partnership showed 45.3m pints were sold across the three-day weekend (24, 25 and 26 August), representing a 3.3% growth in draught beer and cider sales against the equivalent bank holiday weekend in 2023.

The average pub served 1,195 pints of draught beer and cider, equating to a £5,831 income generator, although that may have been dampened slightly by the variable weather conditions across the 3 days, according to Oxford Partnership.

Saturday was the high point of the week, with sales growth of 6.9% compared with 2023, likely driven by the array of sporting events occurring over the day. 

Flat numbers 

Overall growth in beer and cider trade was primarily driven by the ale and stout categories, which were up 20.0% and 28.5% respectively.

The cider category suffered in comparison, as it often does during variable weather conditions, with a 15.7% drop in sales for apple cider, propped up by a small growth of 0.9% for fruit cider.

Footfall numbers were fairly flat over the weekend against 2023 levels, the data revealed, with a 0.1% decline overall, driven by slightly smaller visit numbers to urban and rural locations.

Saturday had the highest number of visits to outlets overall, albeit marginally less than in 2023, down 2.0%, while Friday was flat year-on-year at -0.1% and Sunday was slightly up  (3.3%) on 2023.

City centres had the best weekend with overall footfall up by 0.5% as the variable weather kept a few people away from rural areas (-0.3%).

Knock-on effect 

However, average in-outlet dwell time grew 4.1% over the weekend, driven by city centre locations (+7.4%).

Suburban Outlets also saw marginal dwell time growth of 0.8% but their footfall was flat while rural areas struggled slightly and saw shorter visits, down 1.7%, compared to 2023.

Oxford Partnership CEO Alison Jordan commented: “We were really hopeful for a strong bank holiday for the trade because of all of the sport but sadly the variable weather left us a bit disappointed.

“The knock-on effect was a marginally positive but somewhat un-inspirational weekend for sales. At least Saturday provided a little respite. Here’s hoping for some sunnier weather to lift spirits - and sales - very soon.”