Wine sales climb while all other categories fall

The tracker showed total average drinks sales by value in managed venues were down 3% compared with the equivalent period in 2022.

However, sales of spirits, soft drinks, beer​ and cider​ were all behind the same week last year, down 13%, 3%, 0.3% and 7% respectively.

Skewed comparisons

Wine was the only measured category to see growth during this period, up 7%.

Although the equivalent period coincided with last year’s Easter weekend, skewing the comparisons, CGA stated.

The 2023 week’s data included Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (9 and 10 April), when drinks sales were 30% and 36% ahead on the same comparative days in 2022.

However, sales were then down by double-digits on each of the next four days, before ending the week on a high with 9% growth on Saturday. 

Clearer picture

This followed strong sales for on premise settings in the previous tracker​, which showed sales were 18% up during the seven days to Saturday 8 April.

CGA managing director UK & Ireland Johnathan Jones said: “Year on year sales comparisons are tricky at this time of year because of the variance in where Easter dates fall in the calendar.

“But it’s great to see that consumers have chosen to take advantage of the time off work by spending it in the on premise.

“Late April and early May will give us a clearer picture of the state of play, but we can be positive overall about the short-term trends and sales should get a lift next month from the extra bank holiday for the King’s coronation​.”