Warm September boosts on-trade sales, says Coffer Peach data

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 16 October, 2014

September's Indian summer boosted the fortunes of restaurant and pub groups as like for like sales increased 2.2% on the same month in 213, according to the Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

Warm September September’s Indian summer coaxed many customers to beer gardens and outdoor diningSource: Mitchells & ButlersThe good weather meant the month’s like-for-like sales were up 2.2% - the 18th consecutive month of growth.

This represented the 18^th consecutive month of positive growth for the sector. The strongest performers were London pubs - sales were up 4% - and restaurants outside the M25 - up 4.8%.

"September's warmer weather was a welcome bonus after a colder than average August had seen like-for-likes up a more modest 1.3% across the market," said Peter Martin, vice president of CGA Peach, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker, in partnership with Coffer Group, Baker Tilly and UBS.

Total sales, which include new site openings, increased 5.2% on September 2014.

"Although the better than expected late summer weather helped the market, we are also seeing steady, consistent growth in eating and drinking out, which now stretches back 18 months," said Martin. "Looking at the underlying trend, the 28 companies in the tracker sample together recorded year-on-year sales for the 12 months to the end of September 2.7% up on 2013."

Mark Sheehan, managing director of Coffer Corporate Leisure, said: "These figures are a further demonstration of strength in the eating and drinking out sector and reflect both the improving economy and the gradual habitual change to drink and dine out more often."

Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality at Baker Tilly, said the continues growth "will do nothing to quell the current private equity feeding frenzy in the restaurant and bar sector".

CGA Peach collects sales figures directly 28 leading companies including Mitchells & Butlers, Whitbread, Pizza Express, Gondola, Wagamama, YO! Sushi, and Carluccio's.

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