With operators facing a tough trading environment Lumina Intelligence has revealed that operators are segmenting their operations by mission and occasion.
This comes as Stonegate launched its new concept The People’s Pub, which will be rolled out across 220 sites.
In March last year, Greene king launched its franchise concept Nest Pubs while Marston’s recently unveiled five pub formats.
Meanwhile last month Sara Weir, founder of marketing agency Every Small Story, wrote in the Morning Advertiser (The MA) that relentless economic pressure on operators means that creativity becomes increasingly important for survival.
Evolving consumer behaviour
Lumina Intelligence insights manager Maggie Davis told The MA: “The rise in new concepts within the managed pub sector reflects a strategic response to evolving consumer behaviour and increasing operational pressures.”
She added that operators are moving away from one-size-fits-all formats and towards estates segmented by mission and occasion.
“Recent examples from Marston’s and Stonegate show how brands are using data, zoning and targeted refurbishments to better serve local markets and enhance dwell time.
“There’s also a clear commercial rationale - concept-led formats help operators extract more value from existing assets by enabling stronger pricing power, greater conversion of footfall into spend, and a more focused return on refurbishment investment.
“In a tight trading environment, that combination of consumer relevance and commercial efficiency is critical”, she said.
Cost profile worsened
Additionally, Langdon Capital principal Mark Brumby said elements of hospitality have been and remain very dynamic, driven by the relative youth of the staff and entrepreneurs within the sector.
He said the sector has to be dynamic because it is not one that often gets a lot of Government help and, just now, the cost profile has materially worsened.
“There is, say, with competitive socialising concepts, Padel etc. now and with escape rooms in the recent past, an element of copy-catting but this is often for good and obvious reasons. Over saturation can result and consolidation often follows.”
He added: “Growth can be driven by the above but cash in the hands of consumers is finite. Sometimes ‘growth’ may be down to the weather, sporting events, the timing of Easter etc.
“It’s frustrating but ‘wallet fatigue’ can set in and good periods may be followed by those that are less good.”
Read more about the most recent new concept launches from pubcos here
