Mother’s Day, big sporting events and the run-up to St Patrick’s Day all helped the on-trade sustain drinks sales growth last week.
CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker shows average sales in managed venues in the week to last Saturday (16th March) were 1% ahead of the same week in 2023. After 5% growth over the previous seven days, it extends a solid start to spring trading.
With families flocking to pubs, bars, and restaurants, sales on Mother’s Day (10th March) soared 22% above the equivalent day in 2023. The day also benefited from the penultimate round of Six Nations rugby matches and the Liverpool v Manchester City football fixture.
Year-on-year comparisons across the week would have been even better were it not for the inclusion of St Patrick’s Day in 2023. Sales from the 2024 occasion should be reflected in growth in this current week’s sales.
Sport and the run -up to St Patrick’s Day delivered solid growth for beer (up 3%) and cider (up 4%), while soft drinks sales rose 3%. Despite an uplift on Mother’s Day, the spirits category ended the week down 8%.
“Last week showed us again how consumers love to mark big occasions together over a drink in pubs, bars, and restaurants,” said Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland.
“A sustained run of decent weather has helped, and operators and suppliers will be keeping everything crossed for sunshine in the run-in to Easter trading. While year-on-year comparisons are solid rather than spectacular at the moment, they bode well for better growth as 2024 goes on.”
