It means managed operators have achieved like-for-like increases in eight of the nine months of 2024. Following recent below-inflation growth – of 1.5% in July and 1.3% in August – industry growth has matched the inflationary rate of 1.7% in September. While this is a welcome improvement, it is a sign of the continuing challenges to real terms growth, as the sector enters the crucial final quarter of the year. Total sales growth in September—including new venues opened during the last 12 months—was healthier at 3.7%.
The Tracker—produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with RSM UK—shows September was a solid month for restaurants, with like-for-like sales rising 3.2%—double the rate of 1.5% for managed pubs. Bars extended a sustained period of negative numbers with a drop of 3.8%, while the on-the-go segment achieved 4.3% growth.
As was the case in August, trading in London was slightly softer than the rest of the country. Sales inside the M25 were 1.3% ahead of September 2023, while venues further afield achieved 1.9% growth.
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “Against the comparative of a sunny start to autumn in 2023, September’s dismal weather made real-terms growth for hospitality groups challenging. Pubs faced a particularly difficult month, with the rain keeping people out of beer gardens and terraces—though it did at least drive some of them indoors to give restaurants a brighter time. While some positive economic indicators raise confidence for a brighter final quarter of 2024, hospitality continues to battle substantial headwinds, and the forthcoming Budget is an opportunity to give the sector the targeted support it deserves.”
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “Against the comparative of a sunny start to autumn in 2023, September’s dismal weather made real-terms growth for hospitality groups challenging. Pubs faced a particularly difficult month, with the rain keeping people out of beer gardens and terraces—though it did at least drive some of them indoors to give restaurants a brighter time. While some positive economic indicators raise confidence for a brighter final quarter of 2024, hospitality continues to battle substantial headwinds, and the forthcoming Budget is an opportunity to give the sector the targeted support it deserves.”
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK: “September’s results continue the recent trend of steady but unremarkable growth for the sector, with consumer confidence and spending spooked by the government’s talk of “tough” decisions to come in this month’s Autumn Budget. Another concern for operators is the recent flurry of staff related legal and tax changes hitting the industry. With the new tipping legislation and the Employment Rights Bill already set to increase the cost burden of employing staff, a potential hike in National Insurance contributions alongside National Minimum Wage rate increases could push many businesses to the brink before the all-important festive trading season.”
CGA by NIQ collected sales figures directly from 114 leading managed groups for September’s edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, which provides authoritative monthly insights into Britain’s restaurant, pub and bar sales. Companies participating in the Tracker receive a fuller breakdown of trading that helps to benchmark performance and understand market trends. To join the cohort, contact Andy Dean at andy.dean@nielseniq.com or download more information here.
Participants in the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker: Adventure Leisure Ltd, All Star Lanes, Amber Taverns, Anglian Country Inns, Arc Inspirations, Azzurri Group (Ask Italian, Coco di Mama, Zizzi), Banana Tree Restaurants, Barburrito, Barworks, Beds and Bars, Big Fang Collective, Big Table Group (Bella Italia, Chiquito, Frankie & Benny’s, Las Iguanas), Bill’s Restaurants, Boom Battle Bar, Boston Tea Party, Boxpark, BrewDog, Burger & Lobster, Buzzworks Holdings Group, Byron, Chance and Counters, Chopstix, Coaching Inn Group Ltd, Comptoir Group Plc, Cote Restaurants, Creams Café, D & D London, Darwin & Wallace, Dishoom, Five Guys, Fortnum & Mason, Fuller Smith & Turner, Gaucho Grill, Giggling Squid, Greene King (Chef & Brewer, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill), Gusto Restaurants, Hall & Woodhouse, Hawthorn Leisure, Heartwood Collection, Honest Burgers, HOP Vietnamese, Individual Restaurants, Junkyard Golf Club, Kibou, Laine Pub Co, Le Bistrot Pierre, Liberation, Lina Stores, Loungers, Lucky Voice, Marston’s, McMullen & Sons Ltd, Mildreds, Mission Mars, Mitchells & Butlers (Harvester, Toby, Miller & Carter, All Bar One), MJMK Restaurants, Mojo Bar, Mowgli, Nando’s Restaurants, New World Trading Company, Nightcap Plc, North Brewing Co, NQ64 Arcade Bars, Oakman Inns, Parogon Pub Group, Peach Pubs, Pho, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut UK, Popeyes, Portobello Starboard Ltd, Prezzo, Punch Pub Co, Pure, Rekom UK, Revolution Bars, Rick Stein Restaurants, Riley’s, Rosa’s Thai, Roxy Leisure, San Carlo, Shepherd Neame, Simmons Bars Group, 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), Tasty Plc, TGI Fridays UK, The Alchemist, The Restaurant Group, Thunderbird Fried Chicken, Tonkotsu, Topgolf Ltd, Tortilla, Treetop Golf, True North Brew Co, Turtle Bay, Upham Pub Co, Urban Pubs & Bars, Various Eateries (Strada, Coppa Club), Village Hotels, Wagamama, Wasabi, Wells & Co, Whitbread (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table), Wingstop, YO! Sushi, Young’s and Yummy Collection.
