On-trade drinks sales dipped year on year for two weeks in a row after the weather turned autumnal in mid-September, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker shows.
Average drinks sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday, 13th September, were 1.4% behind the same period in 2024. The gap widened to 3% in the following seven days. Daily comparisons were ahead on four days of the fortnight, but behind on ten.
The figures represent a slight softening of trading for pubs, bars, and suppliers after a solid end to summer. Sales had been ahead year on year for five weeks out of six between late July and early September.
Continuing a pattern set throughout the summer, long alcoholic drink (LAD) categories proved most attractive to consumers over the fortnight. Beer sales were 1% ahead in the week to 13th September, though down by 1% over the following seven days. Cider sales rose 1% and fell 4.8% in the two weeks.
Spirits sales were down by 7.1% and 6.2% in the two weeks, while wine’s drops were even steeper at 8.5% and 7.6%.
“The key on-premise sales patterns that we saw over summer — of generally flat sales, but resilience for LAD brands — look like they are extending into the autumn season,” said Rachel Weller, CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK and Ireland.
“Growth is largely being driven by higher prices rather than increased volumes, and many consumers are clearly still keeping a very close eye on value when they drink out.
“The cooler months will hopefully bring better fortunes for the spirits and wine categories, but pubs, bars, and suppliers will have to work hard for any year-on-year gains.”
