Poor weather sees drinks sales fall despite England rugby games

Year-on-year average drink sales in managed venues fell marginally by 0.2% in the week to 21 October, according to data from CGA.

Bad weather as a result of Storm Babet offset the benefits of two England rugby world cup games causing a decline in sales after eight weeks of growth in the last nine.

Daily sales were down by 10% and 6% on Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 October respectively, two particularly rough days.

Drinks sales were 5% up on both Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 October, when England beat Fiji and lost to South Africa respectively.

The rugby made it another good week for the Long Alcoholic Drinks category with beer sales up 4%, the 11th week of growth in a row, and cider sales up 3%

Wine sales were up 0.2% while soft drinks were down 4% and spirits were down 9% continuing its trend of being the lowest performing drink category.

Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “It’s been a generally good September and October for pubs and bars, but Storm Babet sank midweek trading in some regions last week. Operators and suppliers will now be hoping for a boost from Halloween occasions before the countdown to Christmas begins, and there is all to play for over the last two months of the year.”