Whitbread's total group sales rise by 2.4%

7th September 2009, 11:52am

Whitbread has experienced a 2.4% rise in total sales, according to its latest trading update for the 24 weeks to 13 August.

Premier Inn's total sales have been maintained in a challenging trading environment. Like for like sales in the 24 weeks were down (7.7%) which is an improvement on the performance reported at week 13. 

Focusing on restaurants, brands such as Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Taybarns, delivered strong growth, with total sales up 6.9% and like for like sales up 2.1%. 

Meanwhile Costa has recorded an outstanding performance with total sales growing 18.4% and like for like sales up 2.7%. In addition, sales in the UK and overseas franchise units were £84 million, an increase of 28%. 

Alan Parker, chief executive officer of Whitbread PLC commented: "We remain focused on cost control and we are on target to deliver our previously announced £25 million cost saving programme. 

He concluded: "We have yet to see any substantive signs of improvement in the economic environment. There are a number of specific factors that are contributing to our performance. Costa's trading has been well ahead of expectations and we are seeing the benefits of our value offers in pub restaurants and our focus on cost control.  

"Furthermore, we face softer Premier Inn comparatives in the second half. In the absence of any deterioration in trading, we expect the outturn for the full year to be at least at the higher end of current market expectations."

Related Articles:

• 11 Apr 2012 - Whitbread appoints new managing director of Costa Coffee
• 13 Dec 2011 - Hotel and restaurant group Whitbread achieves total sales growth of 11.4%
• 12 Aug 2011 - Whitbread hotel and restaurant group to sell and lease back seven Premier Inn properties
• 28 Apr 2011 - Whitbread achieves strong revenue growth with sales up 6.6%
• 02 Mar 2011 - Costa reveals Coffee Nation acquisition
• 28 Jan 2011 - Whitbread welcomes new non executive director to the board
• 08 Dec 2009 - Whitbread targets 26% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020
• 20 Aug 2009 - Whitbread launches environment report
• 27 Jul 2009 - Whitbread set to sell four pubs
• 16 Jun 2009 - Whitbread sales in line with expectations
• 29 Apr 2009 - Whitbread remain positive after mixed performance
• 25 Mar 2009 - Whitbread launches Apprenticeship Programme
• 11 Mar 2009 - Whitbread embarks on skills for life training

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