Shepherd Neame reports 8.1% increase in festive sales

Shepherd Neame has reported an 8.1% increase in like-for-like retail sales during the five weeks to 3 January 2026.

The growth was driven by a strong performance inside the M25, where sales rose by 12.6% over the Christmas and New Year period. 

For the 26 weeks to 27 December 2025, retail like-for-like sales also grew by 4.5% across the company’s estate of 285 pubs.

The tenanted estate saw a 3.1% rise in like-for-like income for the period. However, total beer volume fell by 6.6%, with the company’s own beer volume declining by 11.6%. The brewer attributed this drop to a broader decline in national volumes.

The company, which is based in Kent, will announce its interim results on 18 March 2026. The board stated that current trading remains in line with previous expectations.

Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said: “Demand has remained resilient throughout this period in our pub business, and we have enjoyed a particularly strong Christmas trading period.

“Whilst our sector continues to face cost headwinds, we expect these to ease as we progress through 2026. The Company continues to trade in line with the Board’s expectations.”