Restaurant, pub, and bar groups have now achieved 14 months of like-for-like sales growth in a row. November’s figure marks an increase from October’s figure of 3.2% and is close to the current rate of inflation in the UK, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
The Tracker—produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with RSM UK—indicates an equally solid month for pubs, where like-for-like sales were 5.0% ahead of November 2022; and restaurants, where growth reached 4.9%. However, sales in bars were 6.9% down year-on-year to continue a dismal 2023 for the channel.
For the first time in 2023, total sales growth in the Tracker was slower in London than the rest of the country. Groups’ sales within the M25 in November were 3.5% up on last year, slightly behind the increase of 4.2% elsewhere.
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “November’s solid growth raises hopes that consumers are starting to spend a little more freely, and that hospitality might move into consistent real-terms growth in 2024. However, with the sector still besieged by relentlessly high costs, conditions will stay challenging for some time to come. Christmas trading can make the difference between a modest year and a good one, so all businesses will be hoping that consumers’ celebratory mood translates into confident spending on eating and drinking out.”
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “November’s solid growth raises hopes that consumers are starting to spend a little more freely, and that hospitality might move into consistent real-terms growth in 2024. However, with the sector still besieged by relentlessly high costs, conditions will stay challenging for some time to come. Christmas trading can make the difference between a modest year and a good one, so all businesses will be hoping that consumers’ celebratory mood translates into confident spending on eating and drinking out.”
Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said: “Given the miserable weather that dampened spirits in the early weeks of November and the tough comparisons with 2022’s FIFA World Cup boosts, these year-on-year increase in sales will be viewed with quiet optimism as the Christmas party season gets into full swing. Large businesses are shunning all-staff corporate gatherings which are being replaced with smaller team celebrations, sparking a surge in bookings for pubs and restaurants which are better placed to host such events. After years of Covid restrictions, operators are all set for partygoers to splash their cash this December despite an uncertain economic outlook.”
CGA by NIQ collected sales figures directly from 98 leading managed groups for October’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 Andrew Dean at andy.dean@nielseniq.com
Participants in the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker include: Adventure Bars, Adventure Leisure Ltd, All Star Lanes, Amber Taverns, Anglian Country Inns, Arc Inspirations, Azzurri Group (Ask Italian, Coco di Mama, Zizzi), Ballie Ballerson, Banana Tree Restaurants, Beds and Bars, Big Table Group (Bella Italia, Las Iguanas), Bill’s Restaurants, Bone Daddies, Boxpark, BrewDog, Burger & Lobster, Buzzworks Holdings Group, Byron, Coaching Inn Group Ltd, Comptoir Group Plc, Cote Restaurants, Darwin & Wallace, Dishoom, Dominion Hospitality, 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, Island Poké, Junkyard Golf Club, Kibou, Laine Pub Co, Le Bistrot Pierre, Liberation, Lina Stores, Loungers, Marston’s, McMullen & Sons Ltd, Mildreds, Mitchells & Butlers (Harvester, Toby, Miller & Carter, All Bar One), MJMK Restaurants, Mojo Bar, 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 Ltd, Prezzo, Punch Pub Co, Pure, Rekom UK, Restaurant Group (Barburrito, Brunning & Price), Revolution Bars, Rick Stein Restaurants, Riley’s, Rola Wala, Rosa’s Thai, 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, Tonkotsu, Tortilla, True North Brew Co, Upham Pub Co, Various Eateries (Strada, Coppa Club), Village Hotels, Wagamama, Wasabi, Whitbread (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table), Wingstop, YO! Sushi and Young’s.
