Drinks sales see ‘modest’ revival following end to Plan B

Out-of-home drinks sales welcomed a “modest revival” last week after Plan B restrictions were lifted across the UK, according to the CGA’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker. 

It found that average drinks sales by value in Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants in the week to 29 January were only 8% below the equivalent period in 2020. This marks the first time that the weekly comparison has dropped into single digits since November. 

The week in question included three full days of trading without Plan B restrictions in England, and sales last Thursday and Saturday (27 and 29 January) were only just 4% and 6% behind 2020 levels. 

In Scotland and Wales, where restrictions have been slower to ease, weekly sales were 17% and 20% behind, though the CGA said though both numbers represent week-on-week improvements. 

Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “These figures leave us cautiously optimistic that pubs, bars and restaurants can build their sales over the coming weeks. Consumer confidence about going out is gradually recovering, and the end to work-from-home instructions and restrictions on clubs will boost night-time visits in particular. 

“Covid-19 challenges are far from over, sales are still well behind 2020 levels, and many people face a squeeze on disposable income. But after an immensely challenging December and January we can hopefully look forward to something of a recovery over February and beyond.” 

In addition to weekly sales figures, CGA found that spirits have performed “well ahead” of other drinks categories. Spirits sales were 3% up on the same week in 2020 thanks to the ongoing popularity of cocktails, while beer (-12%), cider (-13%), wine (-14%) and soft drinks (-10%) fell behind. Nonetheless, all four of these categories were ahead of the previous seven days.