According to data from Lumina Intelligence’s Eating & Drinking Out Panel, in the 12 weeks ending 15 May, pubs had a 13.9% share of total dinner occasions across the eating out market, a rise of 1.3 percentage points against the previous 12 week period.
In the same period, average spend at dinner per consumer was £21.60, an increase of 10% versus the previous period.
Spend at dinner is up in the majority of channels, with restaurants seeing an increase of +3% in the latest quarter, however, it is pubs that have seen the biggest increase.
Lumina notes that these increases are partially driven by high inflation, but also a rise in consumers trading up on less frequent dinner occasions.
“Pubs are bouncing back, despite the challenges the sector is facing,” says Blonnie Whist, insight director at Lumina Intelligence.
“Increased spend and regained dinner share are great signs that for high spend occasions which are a bit more special and discretionary, pubs and bars are going to win out.”
Lumina's findings go on to show that while spirits are becoming a key opportunity for operators to drive frequency and spend, beer sales continues to drive the highest volume.
Wine and spirits represent two thirds of operator drinks menus, but account for a quarter of consumption occasions. In contrast, beer and cider represent 21% of operator drinks menus and account for 68% of total consumption occasions.
On average, consumers purchase between two and three alcoholic drinks per eating out occasion, whether it is by itself or with food.
Find out more about Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker here.
