Easing of COVID restrictions nudges up out-of-home drinks sales
CGA is cautiously optimistic that pubs, bars and restaurants can build their sales over the coming weeks.
Sales of drinks in pubs, bars and restaurants are improving as consumers go out again, with the week to 29th January seeing an improvement at just 8% down on the equivalent period in 2020, according to CGA's latest Drinks Recovery Tracker.
This marks the first time that the weekly comparison has dropped into single digits since November.
The week also included three full days of trading without Plan B restrictions in England, and sales last 27 and 29 January 4% and 6% behind 2020 levels. In Scotland and Wales, where restrictions have been slower to ease, weekly sales were 17% and 20% behind but 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.”
Spirits sales were 3% up on the same week in 2020 due to “ongoing” popularity of cocktails, whilst beer (-12%), cider (-13%), wine (-14%) and soft drinks (-10%) lagged. All four of these categories were ahead of the previous seven days.
