The data from CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker showed average sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday 5 July were 4% behind the same period in 2024. This means trading has been negative in four of the five weeks since early June.
This follows recent data showing mixed trading during June which saw variable weather and hesitant consumer spending see sales dip.
Sales on Sunday 29 June were down by 25% year-on-year, reflecting tough comparatives with the same Sunday in 2024, when England’s dramatic 2-1 win over Slovakia in the Euros drove high footfall.
Rebound
Trading did rebound sharply on Monday 30 June, with sales up 35%, and remained positive through to Friday 4 July, supported by continued good weather and the second Test match at Lord’s, the tracker revealed.
The mixed trading continued as Saturday 5 July saw another drop of 21%, with no major sporting fixture to match last year’s England vs Switzerland Euro quarter-final.
Cider and soft drinks comfortably outperformed the market as a whole, with year-on-year growth of 7% each. Beer was 5% behind last year, while wine and spirits saw steeper declines of 7% and 12%, a third consecutive double-digit drop.
Boost
CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK & Ireland Rachel Weller said: “The boost of last summer’s Euros makes year-on-year comparisons difficult, but the bright weather of early July clearly gave pubs, bars and suppliers a big boost.
“It’s particularly encouraging for cider brands, which tend to peak in line with the temperatures. Soft drinks are also strong as we move into the crucial school holidays season. Real-terms growth will be hard-earned this summer, but there continue to be plenty of opportunities amid the challenges.”
