Hospitality’s November sales up 3.7% year-on-year but inflation slashes growth

• World Cup fuels drink-led pubs but tougher trading for restaurants
• London outpaces regions to continue revival from COVID-19

Like-for-like sales at Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups in November were up by 3.7% from the same month in 2021, according to the new Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

The exclusive monitor—produced by CGA by NielsenIQ in partnership with The Coffer Groupand RSM UK—was also ahead of pre-pandemic comparatives for the tenth month in a row, recording like-for-like growth of 5.0%on November 2019. However, with the Consumer Price Index now showing inflation of more than 11% in the last 12 months alone, hospitality’s sales are significantly down in real terms.

The start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 delivered a strong November for pubs, where sales rose by 8.1%year-on-year. The distraction of the tournament and pressure on discretionary spending made it a much more difficult month for the managed restaurant sector, where like-for-like sales slipped 0.8% from November 2021. Sales in the bars segment were down 8.6%.

The Tracker also indicates that London’s hospitality sector continues to bounce back from the upheaval of COVID-19. November sales within the M25 grew by 6.2% year-on-year—twice the rate of 3.0%outside the M25.

Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said:

"The festive trading period is when most hospitality businesses make the majority of their annual profits. With last year’s festivities severely impacted, 2022 needs to deliver if the sector is to avoid a grim start to 2023. The World Cup is providing some welcome respite as fans come together to celebrate in their local pubs but industrial unrest alongside fragile consumer confidence will only add to restaurant operators’ woes and could leave a number of under-capitalised businesses teetering on the edge as New Year approaches.”

Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA, said:

"It was a positive November for pubs screening World Cup matches, and another strong month for London as workers and visitors continue to return to the capital, especially ahead of the festive season. But with restaurants and bars trading way behind the rate of inflation, consumer spending under strain and rail strikes threatening festive footfall, it will be a challenging December for managed groups. Spiralling costs leave many hospitality businesses extremely fragile, and with little respite in sight there is a strong case for urgent and targeted government support to protect businesses and jobs."

David Coffer, Chairman, The Coffer Group, said:

"On the face of it, these figures are very promising especially in relation to turnover, but the consumer price index figures obviously counter this progress dramatically, as well as the deterioration of turnover because of a wide range of industrial actions - in particular, those relating to trains and local transport.

With the impending strikes over the festive period there will certainly be further sector trading damage, but it is hoped that there will be extensive intolerance and resistance from the public wishing to seasonally celebrate for the first time in 3 years. It is hoped that this will see a dilution of the effect that is feared."

CGA collected sales figures directly from 79 leading companies for the latest edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

Participating companies receive a fuller detailed breakdown of monthly trading. To join the cohort, contact Andrew Dean at andrew.dean@cgastrategy.com

About the Coffer CGA Business Tracker 

Participants include:

Adventure Bars, All Star Lanes, Amber Taverns, Anglian Country Inns, Azzurri Group (Ask Italian, Zizzi), Banana Tree Restaurants, Barkby Group, Beds and Bars, Big Table Group (Bella Italia, Las Iguanas), Bill’s Restaurants, Bone Daddies, Boparan Restaurant Group (Carluccio’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen), Brasserie Bar Co, BrewDog, Buzzworks Holdings Group, Byron, Cityglen Pub Co, Coaching Inn Group, Comptoir Group, Cote Restaurants, Dishoom, Dominion Hospitality, East London Pub Co, Five Guys, Fuller Smith & Turner, Gaucho Grill, Giggling Squid, Greene King (Chef & Brewer, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill), Gusto Restaurants, Hall & Woodhouse, Hawthorn Leisure, Honest Burgers, Individual Restaurants, Junkyard Golf Club, KIBOU Restaurants, Laine Pub Co, Le Bistrot Pierre, Liberation, Loungers, Marston's, McMullen & Sons Ltd, Mitchells & Butlers (Harvester, Toby, Miller & Carter, All Bar One), Mowgli, Nando’s Restaurants, New World Trading Company, North Brewing Co, Oakman Inns, Parogon Pub Group, Peach Pubs, Pho, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut UK, Portobello Starboard, Prezzo, Punch Pub Co, Rekom UK, Revolution Bars, Riley’s, Rosa’s Thai, Shepherd Neame, Snug Bar, Southern Wind Group (Fazenda), St Austell, Star Pubs & Bars, State of Play Hospitality, Stonegate Pub Co (Slug & Lettuce, Yates’, Walkabout, Bermondsey Pub Company), Tattu, TGI Fridays UK, The Alchemist, The Restaurant Group (Frankie & Bennys, Chiquitos, Brunning & Price), Tonkotsu, True North Brew Co, Upham Pub Co, Various Eateries (Strada, Coppa Club), Wagamama, Wasabi Co Ltd, Whitbread (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table), YO! Sushi and Young’s.

About CGA by NielsenIQ

CGA is the definitive On Premise measurement, insight and research consultancy that empowers the world’s most successful food and drink brands. With more than 30 years’ experience and best-in-class research, data and analytics, CGA is uniquely positioned to help On Premise businesses develop winning strategies for growth.

CGA works with food and beverage suppliers, consumer brand owners, wholesalers, government entities and pub, bar and restaurant retailers to protect and shape the future of the On Premise experience. Its mission is to use phenomenal data and expert insights to give brands a competitive edge and ensure the market we love is the most vibrant possible.

To learn more, visit: www.cgastrategy.com