Drinks sales up 25% during first week of January

The latest Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA by NIQ revealed sales in managed pubs and bars were 25% up in the seven days to Saturday 6 January compared to the same period last year.

However, the figures was inflated by the inclusion of New Year’s Eve in this year’s figures and not in the previous year's data, CGA​ added.

Large upswings 

On a straight comparison, trading on Sunday 31 December was 0.2% ahead of New Year’s Eve in 2022, while New Year’s Day was 1% behind.

There was year-on-year growth on three of the remaining five days of the week, including 4% and 13% on Tuesday and Wednesday (2 and 3 January), though old weather contributed to a 5% drop in drinks sales on Friday (5 January).

Category wise, spirits showed the most growth, up 49%, after a “difficult festive season”, though the tracker showed large upswings for all key categories in the first week of 2024, including beer (up 19%), cider (up 24%), wine (up 32%) and soft drinks (up 14%).

However, the category comparisons were also skewed by the New Year’s Eve comparisons, CGA stated.

Decent momentum 

This comes as the previous tracker​ showed a positive end to 2023, with overall drinks sales up 7% year-on-year in the final fortnight of the year.

CGA managing director UK and Ireland Jonathan Jones said: “After a positive festive season, pubs, bars and suppliers start 2024 with some decent momentum.

“As many people rein in their spending and follow dry January, it is likely to be a slow start to the year for some businesses, but with signs of an easing in inflation and interest rates we can be optimistic that consumer confidence will start to pick up.”