In its Market Watch Snapshot for March, real-time intelligence firm Oxford Partnership revealed this marked a notable shift in consumer preference towards richer, more flavourful drinks.
The data also showed continued growth of premium and world lagers, with the latter posting a year-to-date increase of 6.1% and an 11% gain in the most recent week.
It said that regional performance varies, with suburban areas showing the greatest resilience, while London has seen a recent upswing in volume following earlier declines.
Consistent opening hours
The Market Watch revealed that despite a slight decline in the number of trading hospitality venues—down 0.8% year-to-date—venues that remain open are maintaining consistent opening hours and even modestly increasing them, “signalling a stable operational stance amid continued economic headwinds.”
Consumer engagement is on the rise, with average dwell time increasing by 11.4% in the last week and 10.2% across the year.
Venue occupancy has also improved, suggesting that guests are not only returning to hospitality settings but staying longer and spending more, the market research company said.
Rising spend per head
When looking at transactional data it found that spend per head on drinks has risen by 5.97% year-to-date, while food spend has surged by 7.98%, reinforcing the trend towards quality-driven, experience-focused occasions.
Oxford Partnership CEO Alison Jordan said: “We’re seeing a fascinating shift in consumer behaviour. The growth in stout and world lagers reflects a desire for quality and depth, while the uptick in dwell time and spend per head shows people are seeking more from their hospitality experiences. It’s encouraging to see venues adapting and thriving even as the market evolves.”
The snapshot is compiled using data from The Oxford Partnership’s Market Watch, Vianet Plc’s draught volumes and Barclays UK card transactions.
