Drinks sales fall 5% on tough comparatives, says CGA

Drinks sales were down by 5% year-on-year in the week ended 25 November as a result of tough comparatives with last year, according to data from CGA.

Trading suffered when compared with late November 2022, which brought the start of the football World Cup.

This kept sales on Monday 20 and Friday 24 November substantially below the equivalent days last year, when England played their first two matches in the tournament.

However, average drinks sales in managed venues were in healthy year-on-year growth on each of the other five days of last week.

The biggest positive came on Saturday 25 November, when sales finished 13% ahead year-on-year.

Beer sales were down 5% and cider was down 7% due to the tough year-on-year comparatives, while the spirits category was down 12% continuing a very challenging 2023.

Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “Last year’s World Cup makes it difficult to gauge the mood of the market as we move into December. However, bumper Saturday sales suggest people are ready to enjoy pubs and bars over the festive season, and the run of dry weather gives them more encouragement to head out.

“The agreement from RMT members to hold off on further rail strikes until at least next spring also increases optimism for the festive period, but operators and suppliers will be hoping that Aslef follows suit before they can be fully confident about Christmas trading.”