ALMR slams inflation-busting Sky price rise
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has reacted with "frustration and irritation" at Sky's latest price rise.
The trade group has challenged how, at a time when inflation is running at below 4%, Sky can justify a further 11% increase in prices.
They are closer still to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs - it is going to become increasingly difficult for all but the largest, sports-led bars to make a profit from SkyNick Bish, ALMR chief executive.
Nick Bish, chief executive, said: "They are closer still to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs - it is going to become increasingly difficult for all but the largest, sports-led bars to make a profit from Sky programming.
"Our recent benchmarking survey found that Sky subscriptions accounted for - on average - 1.6% of turnover. However this rises to almost 2.5% for community pubs.
"It is these smaller independent outlets which will struggle to afford the latest price increase, especially when these same pubs have been reporting almost flat like-for-like sales."
The ALMR said Sky's claim that most publicans will be unaffected by the price increase because of the earlier offer of a price freeze "just doesn't hold water".
It said earlier this year, Sky asked licensees to "gamble" on the price increase by asking them to commit to an additional subscription 3 months' earlier than usual.
Bish said: "These publicans have already paid a higher price and should be supported by Sky whose sports broadcasts should be a real alternative attraction to operators coping with the smoking ban."
