The latest weekly data from real-time market intelligence firm Oxford Partnership, shared exclusively with The Morning Advertiser (The MA), showed venue occupancy was up 1.9% during the week to 30 November.
In the past four weeks occupancy levels have risen 0.5%, though the figure was down 1.5% over the past 12 weeks and 0.2% in the year to date.
Dwell time saw a small drop in the last week of November (0.8%), showing despite not as many people venturing into the on trade, those who did stayed for longer.
In the year to date, length of stay in pubs and bars has decreased by 0.2%.
Meanwhile credit card spending in pubs and bars remained flat for a second consecutive week. Spend in restaurants saw 0.6% downturn.
Festive push
Outlet opening hours were marginally down during the seven-day period (0.1%), remaining flat over the past four weeks compared to 2023.
Attributed in part to November’s payday and Black Friday sales, Oxford Partnership said the data showed “green shoots” within the marketplace.
Oxford Partnership CEO Alison Jordan said: “At last we are starting to see some indications of the market beginning its festive push.
“Black Friday can usually be counted on to kick things off and this year has proved no exception.”
Draught beer saw a 2.3% uplift in overall volume and a growth rate of sale of 2.1% in the week to 30 November.
Weekly growth
Though Stout has continued to drive the beer category forward with a 20.6% uptick. World Lager and Premium Lager saw uplifts of 8.2% and 2.1% respectively.
Venues in London saw the biggest weekly growth in terms of draught beer sales, up 2.2%, closely followed by suburban outlets at an increase of 2%.
City pubs were the hardest hit with a drop in draught beer volumes of 18.5% while rural venues saw a 2.7% downturn.
The previous data from Oxford Partnership revealed trade had been “disheartening” in the week to 23 November, following flat spending and lower dwell times.
