Pub drinks sales grew 12% during heatwave
Cider had the highest increase, with sales up 80% versus the same week in 2012 and cocktails up 36% over the same period.
On the hottest day itself, 13 July, total wet sales were 3% higher than in the equivalent day in 2012, with cider (+77%) and cocktails (+9%) against showing strongest growth. However, food sales fell 10% that day.
Performance on this day varied throughout the country, CGA said, with total wet sales showing a greater increase inside the M25 (+12%) than elsewhere (+1%).
"Great weather is obviously great for pubs, and specifically over-ice or summer-friendly drinks, as these numbers show,” said Scott Elliott, director of CGA Peach.
"Without the operational flexibility to tap into summer mind-set and outdoor socialising needs, food sales can suffer. In fact -10% on a day of enhanced footfall is poor. That said, this is good news with average weekly take in growth, with the reversed fortunes of wet and dry sales."
