Restaurant and pub groups see sales rise in April

18th May 2010, 12:22pm

Like-for-like sales in Britain's pubs and restaurants have increased by 0.7% on the same month last year, with total sales up 2.0%, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker survey.

The latest figures are an improvement on March's performance, when like-for-like sales fell back 0.4% and total sales were up just 1.0% on March 2009.

Peter Martin of Peach Factory commented on the results: "Although positive, the results are a reminder that groups will have to stay on the top of their game, particularly with continued uncertainty about the economy ahead of the public-sector spending cuts promised by the new Government. It is going to be a long haul and there is no consumer cushion."

Richard Hathaway, head of travel, leisure and tourism at KPMG, added: "Among potential measures to tackle the deficit, the new coalition Government has made no secret of needing to make public sector jobs cuts and VAT is already being rumoured to rise to 20%.  

"This year the Budget is likely to be a watershed moment for the eating and drinking out sector, as we gain greater clarity around the cost cuts and tax changes which are likely to influence consumer confidence over the next 12 months."

David Coffer, chairman of the Coffer Group, remains positive: "These results bear out the feeling of general malaise the sector suffered throughout the first part of the year. It is hoped that there will be an upswing subsequent to the General Election and with the longer nights and warmer days of summer. Most operators' aspirations for the current year were to have sustained the same levels as last year and this seems generally to be the case. Customers are simply being far more cautious with their money."

The monthly Business Tracker figures are produced by Peach Factory in partnership with KPMG, UBS and the Coffer Group and monitor performance across the UK eating and drinking-out sector. Companies participating in the survey include Mitchells & Butlers, Whitbread, Pizza Hut, Punch Pub Co, Gondola and Tragus.

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• 13 Mar 2012 - Restaurants and pubs experience tough start to 2012
• 17 Jan 2012 - December sales boost pub and restaurant trade
• 14 Nov 2011 - Sales continue to rise at leading pub and restaurant chains
• 15 Sep 2011 - Eating out survives impact of August riots, finds research
• 16 Aug 2011 - Sales continue to improve in pubs and restaurants
• 19 Jul 2011 - Like-for-likes sales up 3.9% in eating and drinking out market
• 14 Mar 2011 - The eating and drinking out market gives boost to UK economy, according to new figures
• 14 Feb 2011 - UK pub and restaurant chains see like-for-like sales rise 10.7% in January
• 13 Dec 2010 - Pubs and restaurants experience slow growth in November
• 16 Nov 2010 - Chain restaurants continue to grow in sales
• 20 Oct 2010 - Hotel and restaurant group Whitbread experiences 7.8% boost in total sales
• 16 Aug 2010 - Pub and restaurant chains achieve sales growth in July
• 22 Jul 2010 - World Cup has “negative impact” on food sales at M&B
• 21 Jul 2010 - Top pub and restaurant chains see sales recover in June
• 17 Aug 2009 - Big restaurant groups biting back against downturn
• 23 Jun 2009 - Pub and restaurant sales remain resilient

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