NIQ RSM’s latest Hospitality Business Tracker revealed managed operators saw a 4.8% increase in like-for-like sales over the festive period compared to 2024. It means trade for pubs was ahead of inflation for most of Christmas week in 2025.
The uplift was driven by a surge in consumers heading out in the final days before Christmas, with an uninterrupted run of bank holidays giving people extended time off from midweek through to the weekend, according to the report.
Speaking to The Morning Advertiser (The MA) earlier this week, independent operators also reported strong Christmas trading, with some achieving record-breaking sales.
Much-loved place
However, the tracker, based on data from CGA, showed it was a much more challenging festive season in other areas of hospitality.
Like for-like sales at managed restaurants over the Christmas week were 1.1% down on the same period in 2024, as many consumers tightened their spending on eating out. It ended a tough year for the restaurant sector, after negative year-on-year growth in 10 of the first 11 months. Bar groups were hit even harder, with a 15.5% fall in like-for-like sales.
CGA by NIQ director hospitality operators and food EMEA Karl Chessell said: “Pubs’ real-terms growth in the week of Christmas shows how they remain a much-loved place for people to celebrate the festive season with families and friends.
“However, negative figures at restaurants and bars round out a very difficult year for many operators, and confidence is running low among consumers and business leaders alike.”
Relentless cost burden
He added: “With cash reserves depleted and rates rises in the pipeline to add to a relentless burden of costs, the sector faces a challenging start to 2026.”
Across all hospitality channels, managed operators achieved like-for-like growth of 1.2% between Monday 22 December and Monday 29 December.
RSM UK head of leisure and hospitality Saxon Moseley added: “Festive trading mirrored the broader trends seen across 2025, with pubs reporting solid sales growth while restaurants and bars saw revenue contract year-on-year, leaving little to celebrate for these beleaguered segments of the market.
“With results failing to live up to expectations for many operators and a raft of cost increases scheduled for 2026, there will be real concern of further casualties on the high street in the coming months.”
