Pubs, bars, and suppliers kept up the recent pattern of modest year-on-year drinks sales growth in early September, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker shows.
Average drinks sales in managed on-trade venues in the week to Saturday, 6th September, were 1.3% ahead of the same period in 2024. This follows growth of 0.4% in the previous week to 30th August, and of 1.9% in the seven days to 23rd August.
The latest numbers conclude a reasonable summer of trading in the on-trade. After periods of slow trading in May and June, sustained spells of sunshine had a positive effect on long alcoholic drink (LAD) categories in particular through July and August.
Sales have now been ahead year on year for five of the last six weeks — though all of the increases have been below the UK’s 3.8% rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index.
The Tracker shows daily sales beat the equivalent days in 2024 on eight days of the latest fortnight, while dropping on six —a sign of the up and down nature of trading at the moment. Spikes in growth coincided with high temperatures, and England’s football World Cup qualifier against Andorra on 6th September helped to deliver a 3.8% boost.
As was the case throughout the Summer, LAD categories powered year-on-year increases. Beer sales rose by 2.2% and 3.4% over the weeks to 30th August and 6th September respectively. Cider had an even better fortnight, beating inflation with growth of 5.8% and 3.9%. Soft drinks were another notable winner, rising 3.9% and 3.1%.
“Five weeks of year-on-year growth out of six represents a solid late summer and early autumn for on-premise suppliers and operators — especially in LAD categories,” said Rachel Weller, CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK and Ireland.
“However, with inflation still relatively high, real-terms growth is proving challenging. Alongside sharp increases in costs, it is adding to the pressure on some businesses’ bottom lines, and the trading environment is unlikely to improve anytime soon.
“Nevertheless, there are still plenty of growth opportunities for brands and venues with the right positioning in the crucial last few months of 2025.”
