Storms ‘batter’ UK drinks sales, CGA finds
Beer was down 22%, cider was down 23%, wine was down 25%, and soft drinks were down 27% from pre-Covid levels
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Average drinks sales by value for managed pubs, bars and restaurants were down 18% in the week to last Saturday, 19 February, compared to the same period in 2020, as a result of both storm Dudley and Eunice meaning many consumers decided not to venture out.
Friday 18 February, when Storm Eunice peaked and sales slumped 27%, was the worst hit day of the week, while Dudley triggered a 12% drop on both Tuesday and Wednesday (15 and 16 February).
Additionally, Wales suffered more severe weather and saw its weekly sales dip 31% from 2020.
However, the spirits category saw a 2% rise in sales compared to the same week in 2020 despite the weather. On the other hand, beer was down 22%, cider was down 23%, wine was down 25%, and soft drinks were down 27% from pre-Covid levels.
CGA said the tough week paused the On Premise’s recovery, just as sales were returning towards pre-Covid-19 sales levels.
Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director in UK and Ireland, said: “Given the close correlation between weather and On Premise trading, it was no surprise to see sales take a hit last week.
“Hopefully this will prove to be only a bump in hospitality’s recovery path, and the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions in England this week should give pubs, bars and restaurants fresh momentum. Inflation continues to make real-terms growth extremely difficult, but we can be cautiously optimistic about trading prospects as we enter the spring.”
