Jubilee weekend trading ‘disappoints’ despite food and drink sales boost
Despite Jubilee celebrations being centred on London, the sales uplift in the capital was below the UK average at 1%
The last week’s two Bank Holidays have lifted sales for Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants, although street parties dented trading over the weekend.
According to CGA by NielsenIQ’s, On Premise sales from last Wednesday to Sunday (1 to 5 June) were 5% higher than the average for the equivalent period over the previous 12 weeks. However, after uplifts of 47% on Wednesday, 54% on Thursday and 7% on Friday, sales dropped by 20% and 22% on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
All in all, food sales increased by 8% over the five-day period, while drinks sales achieved a 3% uplift. Particularly, soft drinks sales grew 11% following the increase in family visits to venues.
Over the the long Jubilee weekend, spirit sales increased 12%, with Vodka a “key driver” and, and there was a 10% hike in cocktail sales as consumers toasted the Queen.
Meanwhile, there was a 4% drop in beer sales, although the cider category rose by 12%.
CGA also found that total five-days sales increased by 8% in rural areas, up 5% compared to high streets and 4% from suburban areas. Despite Jubilee celebrations being centred on London, the sales uplift in the capital was below the UK average at 1%.
Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director of UK and Ireland, said: “It was very much a Jubilee holiday of two halves for operators and suppliers, with an early upswing followed by a tough weekend.
“It suggests excitement about the extra Bank Holidays but a desire to mark the occasion at home and within local communities. It’s not the major boost to trading that some had hoped for, but it does show that pubs, bars and restaurants remain a key part of celebratory occasions.”
