UK drinks sales fall 9% as Christmas nears
All major drinks categories recorded year-on-year losses in sales – beer was down 5%, cider was down 8%, wine down by 7% and soft drinks by 11%
Drinks sales in Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants are “lagging” as average sales in managed venues in the week ended 23 November were 9% down on the same week in 2023, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker showed.
Widespread chilly weather pushed down sales throughout the week, with 17 November the only day with positive growth.
Weekend sales also struggled, falling by 8% on 22 November, and by 14% on 23 November as Storm Bert hit some parts of Britain. In between, numbers were between 8% and 11% behind last year on every day from Monday to Thursday (18 to 21 November).
All major drinks categories recorded year-on-year losses in sales, the Daily Drinks Tracker shows – beer was down 5%, cider was down 8%, wine down by 7% and soft drinks by 11%. Spirits sales fell 20% – one of the steepest year-on-year drops of 2024, though recent CGA research has highlighted potential to revive sales in the run-up to Christmas.
Rachel Weller, CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK and Ireland, said: “The combination of patchy consumer confidence and unfavourable weather has extended Autumn’s weak trading into Winter. More positively, some managed groups continue to generate good growth, and brighter conditions should help to bring more people out to the On Premise.
“Operators and suppliers will be hoping that a slow November indicates that consumers are saving up for a big spend on Christmas celebrations, rather than a sign of things to come in December.”
