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Drinks sales in the UK dropped 3% in the week ended 25 May, compared with the same period last year, as wet weather continued to dampen performance, according to data from CGA.
Year-on-year sales plunged 22% after heavy rain on 22 May, and they were down by between 8% and 12% on 21, 23 and 24.
The final round of Premier League fixtures helped to lift sales by 24% on Sunday 19 May.
There was also growth of 4% on 25 May, the first week of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Interest in Sunday’s football meant beer sales were 1% ahead year-on-year however, cider was down 7%, soft drinks down 5%, wine down 1% and spirits were down 10%.
Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “After a solid start to May it’s frustrating to see drinks sales slip back into the red year-on-year. The weather has been far from ideal for pubs and bars, and operators and suppliers will be pinning hopes on some prolonged sunshine as we move into the key summer months. In the meantime, with consumer confidence still patchy businesses face fierce competition for sales and share.”
