In total, the Tracker recorded growth of 3.2% across Britain’s leading hospitality groups in October - the 13th consecutive month of like-for-like rises.
However, the figure reflects a drop from a 5.9% rise in September, when brighter weather encouraged consumers out to eat and drink.
“Thirteen successive months of year-on-year growth amid a cost of living crisis is encouraging, but there is no escaping the fact that rises are being driven by price rises and remain below inflation,” says Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ.
Pub sales held strongest at 5%, boosted by the Rugby World Cup. However, at the other end of the spectrum, the bar segment endured another difficult month, with sales down by 7.8%.
For the 18th month in a row, groups achieved better growth in London than the rest of the country, the Tracker shows. Like-for-like sales within the M25 rose 4.8%, compared to 2.7% elsewhere.
“The weather made for challenging trading conditions in many parts of the country, offsetting boosts from occasions like the Rugby World Cup and Halloween,” Chessell continues.
“Consumer demand for hospitality remains high, but venues will have to be at the top of their game to achieve real-terms growth over the crucial run-in to Christmas.”
