Strong St Patrick’s Day tips drinks sales into growth
However, soft drinks (down 8%), wine (down 8%) and spirits (down 6%) were all in the red
Average drinks sales in the UK’s managed venues for the week ended 23 March were up 1% compared with the same period last year.
It follows a 1% increase over the previous week, and 5% growth in the seven days before that.
Pubs and bars took advantage of St Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday (17 March) this year, and sales were 13% ahead of the equivalent Sunday last year.
FA Cup quarter-finals, including a tie between Manchester United and Liverpool, also brought people out to drink.
St Patrick’s Day made it a good period for the Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) category, and beer and cider sales were both 8% ahead of last year.
However, soft drinks (down 8%), wine (down 8%) and spirits (down 6%) were all in the red.
Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “St Patrick’s Day continues to deliver for pubs, bars and drinks brands. Hot on the heels of Mother’s Day, it’s another reminder of the value of celebratory occasions to the On Premise.
“More modest growth on other days suggests some consumers are saving their money for big events like these and cutting down on more everyday occasions, and recent wet weather won’t have helped general spending. Nevertheless, three straight weeks of year-on-year growth is a positive indicator for the rest of Spring and Summer.”
