New data published by The Oxford Partnership has shown that longer visits and higher spend are helping to support performance across the on trade.
April figures from the group’s market watch report showed occupancy levels rose to 65.5%, up 3.4% year on year, while average dwell time increased by 11 minutes to 157 minutes. Average spend per head remained high at £26.89, broadly in line with March’s record level.
However, drinks volumes remained under pressure, with total volumes down 2.1% year on year in April and rate of sale slipping 0.8%, highlighting what the report described as a growing disconnect between consumer engagement and drinking intensity.
Moderation and dwell time
The findings suggest consumers are continuing to value social occasions and hospitality experiences, but are increasingly moderating alcohol consumption while spending more time in venues.
The Oxford Partnership said food and broader experience-led occasions were becoming more central to visits, as operators continue to navigate rising costs and weaker consumer confidence.
Changing habits
Category performance also pointed to changing drinking habits, with stout remaining one of the strongest performing categories, growing 7.6%, while world lager increased 3.5%.
By contrast, more traditional lager categories continued to struggle, with core lager volumes down 6% and world 4% lager falling 6.7%.
The Oxford Partnership CEO Alison Jordan said: “Consumers are still making time for hospitality and social occasions remain important, but we’re increasingly seeing people engage differently once they are there.
“People are staying longer, venues remain busy and spend levels are holding up well. However, higher spend does not automatically mean stronger returns for operators.
Cost pressures remain significant and consumers are often paying more while drinking less, creating a more complex trading environment than headline figures alone might suggest.”
The report said the sector would now be hoping warmer weather and major summer events help convert strong consumer engagement into improved drinks performance in the months ahead.
