Britain's on-premise drinks sales slightly surpassed 2023 levels last week, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker.
Average sales in managed venues for the seven days to May 18 were 0.3% ahead of the same period last year, marking a second successive positive week after a 13% growth previously.
The start of May has been solid for pubs, bars, and their suppliers following a difficult March and April with five weeks of year-on-year declines.
Sales fluctuated in line with the temperatures throughout the week.
Growth of 13% was recorded on Sunday, 12 May, due to warm weather.
However, cooler weather and tough comparative days led to declines of between 3% and 10% from Monday to Thursday.
The week ended with a 5% growth on Friday, May 17, and a small dip of 2% on Saturday.
“While pubs and suppliers won’t be getting too excited by year-on-year growth of 0.3%, it does at least maintain some trading momentum,” said Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director for UK and Ireland.
“Many consumers are clearly still cautious about their spending, but when the sun shines they remain eager to enjoy drinking out.
“News this week of further easing in inflation should hopefully improve their confidence, but as ever at this time of year, levels of trading will very much depend on the weather.”