The brewer said UK net revenue and total volume both increased by a low single digit during the six months to 30 June 2026.
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Its Star Pubs estate, which includes around 2,400 pubs, also continued to support the wider business.
In the update, Heineken said: “Our Star Pubs estate outperformed the wider pub market and continues to be accretive to operating margin.”
The update follows Heineken UK’s announcement earlier this year that it would invest £44.5m across 647 pubs in the Star Pubs estate during 2026.
That programme includes 108 major refurbishments of £145,000 or more, with investment focused on bars, gardens, sports areas, entertainment spaces and essential building works.
Pub investment
Heineken UK has invested at least £40m a year in its pub estate since 2022.
Heineken UK managing director Boudewijn Haarsma recently told The Morning Advertiser (MA) the business believed “well run and invested pubs will continue to thrive”, despite pressure from taxation, wage costs and changing consumer habits.
Earlier this year, Star Pubs property director Chris Moore told The MA the latest investment was about helping operators increase trade in a challenging market.
He said at the time: “The way to beat those pressures is to sell more, to increase your revenue. That’s what the investment’s about. It’s about creating great pubs, attracting and working with great licensees.”
The 2026 programme also includes a focus on sport ahead of the World Cup, with investment in darts, pool, larger screens and outdoor screens.
UK brands
Heineken said its UK performance had been supported by the strength of its pub estate, customer relationships and broad portfolio.
Cruzcampo continued to grow strongly, with volume increasing in the thirties during the first half.
The business also launched Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange, a lower ABV flavoured beer proposition.
Murphy’s doubled volume through increased distribution in the on trade and the rollout of nitro cans in the off trade, while Foster’s returned to growth, supported by execution, its Professional Darts Corporation partnership and its value positioning.
In cider, Inch’s continued to grow in the teens, while Old Mout Flavourwave expanded to almost 2,000 pubs.
Across the wider Heineken group, total volume increased 1.6% in the first half, while net revenue rose 2.7%.
All five global brands grew, with Heineken volume up 5.3%.
The company said its priority areas also performed strongly, with premium beer up 6%, beyond beer up 8% and low and no alcohol volume up 12%.
Heineken also said it had launched more than 40 innovation pilots across global brands, local brands and priority growth areas during the first half.
The group reiterated its full year profit growth guidance of 2% to 6%.
