Pub sales jump 9.1% in April amid sun and Easter boost
Sales across all hospitality group outlets were 4.2% ahead of April 2024, which beat the UK’s recent rates of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index
Managed pub groups saw their like-for-like sales grow 9.1% during April, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, thanks to sustained warm weather and a long Easter weekend.
However, some of the growth was at the expense of restaurants, where sales dipped by 0.9% year-on-year. Bars also continued a long run of negative numbers, with trading down 4.5%.
Nevertheless, sales across all hospitality group outlets were 4.2% ahead of April 2024, which beat the UK’s recent rates of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
According to CGA and RSM, the results of this tracker represents a strong start to the second quarter of 2025 after year-on-year drops of 1.3% and 0.6% in January and March and growth of just 0.1% in February.
April’s comparison was slightly inflated by the long Easter weekend, which fell in March last year. Total sales – including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months – were 6.8% ahead of April 2024.
The tracker also shows trading outside the M25 was significantly better than in London. While groups’ sales inside the M25 were ahead by 0.9% year-on-year, further afield they rose by 5.5%.
Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators and food at CGA by NIQ, said: “After a tough few months for hospitality, the warm weather has given managed pubs a very bright start to the second quarter. It is hopefully a sign that some consumers are spending a little more freely, though a disappointing month for restaurants suggests others were simply switching from eating out to drinking out.”
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, added: “The headline growth in like-for-like sales will be celebrated by operators who have endured a contraction in trading since the start of the year. This uptick may signal a shift in consumer behaviour as improving weather and greater opportunities to socialise begin to drive spending.
“However, consumer confidence remains fragile, so recovery is far from assured. Cost pressures remain acute with food inflation outpacing general inflation in April, but for the first time this year there is cautious optimism that revenue growth may ease these concerns.”
