On-trade sales return to growth for April according to Coffer Peach Tracker

By Erin Smith

Published: 14 May, 2015

The pub and restaurant sector saw a return to growth during April, with like-for-like sales up 1.2% compared to last year, according to CGA Peach Business Tracker.

The April figures were good news following last month's dip of 0.3%, which marked the first time the figures had declined in nearly two years.

Total sales in April were up 5.2% according to the data that was collected and analysed from 30 operating chains across the UK. The Easter weekend helped to offer a big boost for on-trade outlets, but the market is growing more competitive.

Peter Martin, vice president of CGA Peach, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker in partnership with Coffer Group, Baker Tilly and UBS said: "The eating and drinking-out market remains a good news story, but recent figures, suggest it may be getting a little harder to win extra sales."

The uncertainty of the general elections may have depressed the figures for the past couple of months, but now the election is over, experts in the sector are optimistic that it will continue to make positive gains.

"The total sales growth of 5.2% shows just how fast the restaurant sector is growing in comparison with other parts of the UK economy," Trevor Watson, director at Davis Coffer Lyons said.

"The new Government has made it clear that it will seek to re-balance the UK economy away from London and the South East, which can only be good for the sector. There was evidence that election uncertainty held back some business decisions, however, with that now behind us we expect the market to continue to thrive during the summer months."

The return of consumer confidence post-elections combined with falling oil prices and falling food prices could help to encourage customers to head out to the on-trade as well.

"These positive like-for-likes dispel concern that political uncertainty before a closely fought election would damage consumer confidence. Sunny weather, falling fuel prices and politicians talking up the economy have come together in April to encourage consumers to continue their spending on eating and drinking-out up and down the country," said Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality at Baker Tilly.

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