Drink sales surpassed pre-Covid levels for the first time in 2021 during the week ending 4 September according to data from CGA.
The August bank holiday weekend and large numbers of people taking domestic holidays combined to drive average drinks sales up by 5% by value versus the same week in 2019, although the year on year comparison is skewed by the absence of Bank Holiday trading in the comparative period.
CGA’s Tracker data has shown that weekly drinks sales have been down on 2019 every week since hospitality reopened from mid-April, but the return to growth raises hopes of a stronger end to the year for pubs, bars and restaurants.
CGA speculates that this week’s hotter weather could provide another boost to drinks sales.
“It’s important to note that these figures are inflated by the Bank Holiday weekend, and we’re not anticipating consistent 2021 v 2019 growth for a while yet,” says Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director. “However, the general trend is positive, and August will hopefully be a springboard for operators and suppliers into a strong autumn and Christmas. Considering all the upheaval of COVID-19 and all the current labour, supply and cost challenges, many drinking-out businesses are showing impressive resilience.”
Precis
August bank holiday leads to strong drink sales
Drink sales surpassed pre-Covid levels for the first time in 2021 during the week ending 4 September according to data from CGA. The August bank holiday weekend and large numbers of people taking domestic holidays combined to drive average drinks sales up by 5% by value versus the same week in 2019, although the year on year comparison is skewed by the absence of Bank Holiday trading in the comparative period.
