Like-for-like sales for hospitality segments increase: report 

Restaurants are still the strongest performing hospitality sectors in August.

Like-for-like sales of hospitality segments in the UK increased, except for bars, which were down 3.5%, CGA by NielsenIQ, Coffer CGA Business Tracker, revealed.

Restaurants are the strongest performing of the tracker’s three hospitality segments in August, with like-for-like sales growth of 2.8%. Pubs’ sales went up by 2.1% in 2019.

“The result from the Tracker—produced by CGA by NielsenIQ in partnership with The Coffer Group and RSM UK—means like-for-like sales have now been ahead of or level with pre-pandemic comparatives for seven months in a row,” read the report.

But the compound inflation will put groups’ sales below the levels of three years ago, showed the report.

Demand for deliveries and takeaways also grew since the start of pandemic rules due to restaurants dine-in sales posting 2.1% below those of 2019.

Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA, said: “Hospitality is feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis as consumers watch their spending, and is facing soaring costs of its own across fuel, food, labour and other key inputs. With a difficult autumn and winter ahead, the sector needs urgent and bold help from the government on energy and taxes to help protect businesses.”