Average sales in managed venues were up 16% in the week Saturday, 9 September thanks to the burst of hot weather. According to the CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker it was a welcome boost to sales after growth of just 1% in each of the previous two weeks.
Daily sales were in double-digit growth on six days in the week, peaking at 25% and 24% on Monday and Tuesday (4 and 5 September) as high temperatures led to a boom in sales for the Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) category. Cider sales were up 54% from the same week last year, while beer was up 19%. Soft drinks sales rose 19%, though wine (up 2%) and spirits (up 1%) had a much quieter week.
Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director, UK and Ireland said, “After dismal weather through August and weeks of flat sales, last week’s sunshine was a great relief for operators and suppliers. As we would expect, it was a particularly stellar week for pubs with outdoor spaces and beer and cider brands. As the temperatures drop and we move towards the last quarter of 2023, where like-for-like sales growth will be less impacted by weather, this flurry of sales will hopefully provide some momentum for trading.”