The Daily Drinks Tracker from CGA showed the month started off strong, with sales the week to Saturday 6 September 1.3% ahead of the same period in 2024 following growth of 0.4% the previous week to Saturday 30 August.
However, trade in the seven days to Saturday 13 September then dipped to 1.4% behind the same period in 2024. The gap widened even further the following week, to Saturday 20 September, when sales were 3% down.
Meanwhile, sales then jumped 2.8% in the seven days to Saturday 27 September compared to the same period in 2024. They increased again in the following week to 4 October, albeit by a marginal 0.1%.
Outperforming the market
Though the fortnight ended with a challenging weekend as Storm Amy wreaked havoc in many parts of the country.
Average sales dropped by 10.3% on the main day of the storm on Saturday 3 October as consumers stayed at home. Trading also slipped by 1.7% and 3.4% on Friday and Sunday (2 and 4 October).
Despite a blip in the first half of September and in the wake of Storm Amy, the latest data builds on a solid end to summer and means on-trade drinks sales have been ahead year-on-year for seven weeks out of ten since late July, CGA said.
Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) categories started autumn as they finished summer, outperforming the market by some distance, with beer sales ahead by 5.4% and 2.9% in the weeks to 27 September and 4 October, while cider rose even faster, by 8.1% and 3.2%. Soft drinks also had a fortnight of growth, climbing 4.8% and 1.2%.
The spirits and wine categories continued to be more challenging. Spirits sales dropped by 5.3% and 6.1% year-on-year during the latest two-week period, as some consumers opted instead for refreshment in longer serves. Wine slipped by 2.2% and 6.6%, partly the result of guests seeking drink-led rather than food-led occasions.
Crucial period
CGA by NIQ commercial lead UK & Ireland Rachel Weller said: “The key on premise sales patterns we saw over summer - of generally flat sales but resilience for LAD brands - look like they are extending into the autumn season.
“Growth is largely being driven by higher prices rather than increased volumes, and many consumers are clearly still keeping a very close eye on value when they drink out. The cooler months will hopefully bring better fortunes for the spirits and wine categories, but pubs, bars and suppliers will have to work hard for any year-on-year gains.”
She added: “While drinks sales growth has been solid rather than spectacular, these numbers are an encouraging indication of consumers’ spending confidence. It’s likely sales would have been even stronger had Storm Amy not brought an abrupt end to a run of favourable weather.
“There’s all to play for as we enter the crucial final quarter of the year, especially in the spirits category, where brands will be hoping that the festive season brings strong celebratory spending.”
