Drinks sales up 7% as footfall bounces back

Britains’ pubs and bars saw average drinks sales jump 7% in the week ended 4 November helped by Halloween, Bonfire Night and big sporting events.

This is the best weekly performance since September and follows a flat second half of October, when poor weather hit footfall in pubs and bars.

Sales peaked at a 15% increase on Sunday 29 October, when early Halloween visits, the Manchester derby and a boxing match for Tyson Fury all brought people out.

There was growth of 11% on Halloween night itself followed by 17% on Wednesday 1 November.

The week ended on a high, with bonfire celebrations, decent weather and more big football matches luring people to pubs and bars and triggering a 10% uplift on Saturday 4 November.

All drinks categories were in year-on-year growth, with cider up 10%, beer up 9%, soft drinks up 10% and wine up 6%.

Sales in the spirits category, which have lagged last year throughout most of 2023, achieved 2% growth, thanks to Halloween celebrations.

Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “After a damp October it’s great to see drinks sales growth beat the current rate of CPI as we start November.

“It’s a positive sign for the crucial run-up to Christmas, and with a potential deal to end rail strikes being voted on at the end of November, we can be cautiously optimistic about festive footfall and sales. While consumer spending remains under pressure, the last week has shown that people are still very keen to get out to pubs, bars and restaurants for big communal occasions.”