Sales

No consumer slowdown for pubs yet

23-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

The latest ONS figures which show a boost in off-trade sales does not signal a slowing down in the on-trade, industry watchers report.

Britain’s city centres edge to recovery as sales and footfall rise

29-Apr-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

London’s hospitality centre has edged back to pre-Covid vibrancy levels as sales and footfall have increased in Britain’s cities following two years of disruption.

Tequila and vodka sales soar while whisky and gin decline

16-Mar-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The spirit’s category has seen an increase in consumer interest in recent months with cocktails rising in popularity, but some drinks have outperformed others.

Gin sales decrease by more than a third

03-Mar-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Total sales of gin have decreased by 38.5% when compared with the same period in 2019, according to data collected by CGA.

Vote now: Have you seen an increase in spirits sales?

14-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

In the week to Saturday 5 February, average drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants were 3% below the same period in 2020, however, sales of spirits have continued to soar, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Drinks sales down 12% in the week to 15 January

25-Jan-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Average drinks sales by value in Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants in the week to Saturday 15 January were 12% down when compared to the same week in 2020, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Hospitality sees 27% sales drop on New Year’s Eve

13-Jan-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Sales in pubs, bars and restaurants were down by more than a quarter (27%) on New Year’s Eve, new data from UKHospitality and insight consultancy CGA has revealed.

Managed pubs, bars and restaurants strong in September but challenges continue

18-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants saw their second successive month of year-on-year sales increases, up 8% on pre-pandemic levels of September 2019, and 42% from September 2020, according to the latest Coffer CGA Business tracker.

In association with Westons Cider

Shaken to the core: how premium cider is becoming more popular in the on-trade

02-Aug-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

While premiumisation has taken longer to catch on in the cider category versus the likes of beer, wine and spirits, a lesser spotted symptom of Covid-19 has seen quality pours become the apple of many a pubgoer’s eye.

Arc Inspirations’ trading tops pre-pandemic levels by 35%

22-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Bar operator Arc Inspirations has revealed that trading across its 17 sites has been 35% higher than the equivalent period in 2019 since indoor trading resumed on 17 May.

Pandemic ‘premiumisation’ sparks beer tap and tech review for 67% of operators

13-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Two thirds of pub and bar operators are reviewing their beer offer off the back of a newfound thirst for premium pours, according to research carried out by Beer Piper in tandem with The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Indoor reopening helps Loungers to 26.6% sales boost

17-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide café bar operator Loungers has reported that like-for-like sales during the four weeks from Monday 17 May were up 26.6% versus to the same period in 2019.

Almost two thirds of Brits not scaling back pub plans due to Delta variant

15-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Some 60% of respondents have not scaled back plans to socialise in pubs and bars due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, according to new research.

Low and no ‘remains a significant untapped opportunity’

15-Jun-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The biggest barriers to buying low and no alcohol drinks are they are considered too expensive, poor value for money and some consumers have been unable to find them, according to new data.

'Shockingly quiet' first week of indoor trade

21-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have described the first week of indoor trading after lockdown as “shockingly quiet” but said they are optimistic as sales data shows a boost.

M&B suffers £200m loss as pandemic restrictions bite

19-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite takings tumbling by 79% during the six months to 10 April, the CEO of the firm behind Toby Carvery and All Bar One believes it can emerge from pandemic restrictions in a ‘strong competitive position’.

Big Interview

‘Brands are built in bars, not in boardrooms’

17-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

After making a long-awaited return to reopened pubs and bars throughout April, Bacardi’s on-trade director Leila Stansfield’s glass is most certainly half full for the weeks and months of on-trade recovery ahead.

MA’s review of the week

‘Second wave’ of pub goers expected for indoor opening

14-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Beer and Coffee Co. director Matt Crowther to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

City Pub Group ‘significantly improved over the past year’ despite 57% revenue drop

11-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite pandemic restrictions hitting its revenue for £34.2m in the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2020, City Pub Group is in an ‘excellent position’ as the country reopens according to its executive chairman.

Spirits Week - In association with Diageo

Cocktail-led outings 'much, much more of a reward'

10-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

To introduce Spirits Week, brought to you by Diageo, drinks expert Douglas Blyde distils some of the key trends and new consumer behaviours shaking up the spirit and cocktail categories.

£80.8bn worth of sales wiped out in past 12 months

30-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The coronavirus pandemic has cost the hospitality sector more than £80bn worth of sales from April 2020 to March 2021, new research has found.

Guinness spin-off Hop House 13 to be axed in Britain

30-Apr-2021 By Daniel Woolfson, The Grocer

Diageo is calling last orders on its Hop House 13 brand in Great Britain, The Grocer has learned.

Reopened Oakman pub takings up more than 50% on pre-pandemic sales

22-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Hertfordshire-based multiple operator Oakman Group has revealed that sales during its first week of post-lockdown trade trump equivalent 2019 takings.

In association with Tayto Group

Bag a profit by upselling post-lockdown drinkers to crisps and scratchings

14-Apr-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

With the value sales of crisps, snacks and nuts in the UK’s pubs and bars totalling £24m pre-pandemic, The Morning Advertiser sinks its teeth into the art of the upsell.

Revolution: ‘Bring our ‘national day of freedom forward'

13-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group chief executive, Rob Pitcher, has implored the Prime Minister to ‘follow the data, not dates’ and lift legal limits on social contact before Monday 21 June.

Big Interview – in association with Budweiser Brewing Group

How Budweiser will do things a bit differently on reopening

15-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Jean-David Thumelaire describes 2020 as a ‘weird year’ to be pushing Corona in the on-trade – for obvious reasons. Now, with what he sees as the ‘real’ reopening in sight, he discusses the 'art' of post-pandemic planning.

Urban Pubs & Bars sees significant lockdown losses

01-Mar-2021 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

Urban Pubs & Bars lost out on £2.5m in sales in the first month of the March lockdown, and incurred a significant shortfall in profit due to its inability to mitigate costs immediately at the point of closure.

£200m a day hospitality losses

28-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Britain's pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels lost nearly £200m a day in sales in 2020, according to new figures.

Tiered system ‘further depressed sales’ in October

13-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Regional coronavirus restrictions last month (October) pushed managed pub, restaurant and bar group sales into reverse, new research has found.

'Not sure we'll make it to spring'

28-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Publicans have said they experienced some of their worst trading days on record at the weekend after stricter coronavirus measures came into force.

#unitedwestand

10% sales drop is all most reopened pubs can handle

07-May-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

The majority of pubs will be able to handle a maximum of just a 10% drop in sales to remain profitable and continue trading long-term, data from an exclusive snapshot poll of industry leaders has revealed.

Pubs suffer 67% sales drop in week of closure announcement

27-Mar-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups saw a drastic drop of 71% in like-for-like sales in the week the Government ordered all licensed premises to close.

#UnitedWeStand

Dry-led pubs footfall drops 30% in past week

20-Mar-2020 By Alice Leader

Over the past seven days, dry-led pubs saw 30% fewer customers compared to the same period in 2019, including a 53% drop in footfall in just one day (18 March).

M&B rings in new year with festive sales boost

09-Jan-2020 By Alice Leader

Trade at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) pub sites soared during the three-week festive period, with like-for-like value sales growing 5.6%.

December sales dampened

06-Jan-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Like-for-like sales across pubs and restaurants were static in December (last month) as wet weather deterred many from venturing out.

Early Xmas celebrations could bump up sales

25-Nov-2019 By Alice Leader

Christmas could come early this year as Brits get into the festive spirit, starting their celebrations before they normally would, according to CGA analysis.

World Cup rugby fails to ignite pub and restaurant sales

11-Nov-2019 By Alice Leader

The Rugby World Cup has flopped in boosting pub and restaurant sales this October, with like-for-like sales across the bar and pub sector sinking 0.6%.

Operators benefit as Brexit fears fail to dent pub sales

15-Oct-2019 By Alice Leader

Total sales at pubs increase by 5.8% this September despite difficult trading for retailers amid Brexit fears.

Can pubs cash in on Love Island?

20-Jul-2018 By Stuart Stone

Reality TV show Love Island has taken the nation by storm, with viewing figures peaking at close to 4m people in 2018 despite regular clashes with the World Cup.

Bramley Bars acquire third pub in south-west

13-Jul-2018 By Emily Hawkins

West Country-based operator Bramley Bars has added a third site to its operations list with the acquisition of a whimsical village pub.

Sales increases at Wetherspoon 'slow slightly'

09-May-2018 By James Wallin, MCA

JD Wetherspoon grew like-for-like sales 3.5% in its third quarter to 29 April while total sales were up 2.8%.

Rogue agents: advice on avoiding cowboy agents when buying and selling pubs

05-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Buying and selling a pub is a big move for anyone, so heed the advice from property experts and make sure you avoid cowboy agents.

In association with Diageo

Get the cocktail message across

24-Jul-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Having a great offer when it  comes to cocktails is a proven way of increasing trade, but making sure you convey what you have to customers is the crucial aspect in building sales. Nicholas Robinson reports.

Ei Publican Partnerships launches training guides for pubs

05-Jun-2017 By MA Editorial

Ei Publican Partnerships has launched a new series of guides designed to help new and existing publicans with training and best practice. 

How to have a nose for fake alcohol

14-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts give advice on how to spot when there might be something amiss with a new drink you're being offered.

Property

Pubs being sold for alternative use on the decline

05-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

The percentage of pubs that are sold for non-pub use decreased by 25% in 2016, according to the annual Fleurets survey of pub prices.

Charity

Licensee strips off for charity calendar

06-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A Draycott licensee has taken his kit off with another member of staff and customers in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Property

The secret life of an agent

16-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

With more than 35 years of experience selling licensed properties at Guy Simmonds, Stephen Taylor has seen almost everything. Here’s his take on the role of the agent in selling pubs.

Bar and Pub Show 2016

Up-to-date online bookings systems 'can boost pub profits'

05-Oct-2016 By Sara Hussein

DesignMyNight co-founder, Nick Telson, urged pubs to brush up their online booking systems to gain more revenue and customer loyalty. 

Cider

Westons nets Purity’s sales boss to head new team

01-Aug-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Cider maker Westons has snagged Purity Brewing Company’s director of sales Darryl Hinksman to head its newly created customer marketing and insight department.