Three major pub groups all report positive latest figures. Marston’s, the pub operator and brewer, saw like for like sales in its managed pubs grew 7% in the eight weeks to 21 January, with food up 8% and drink sales ahead 6.5%.
Douglas Jack, analyst at Numis, commented on Marston’s saying that he believed the sales improvement had been volume driven: “With the food spend per head remaining at £6.50 ex-VAT, growth is stemming from winning new customers rather than existing customers buying more.”
Fuller Smith & Turner, the London-based pub and brewing business, saw like for like sales in its managed pubs and hotels grow 5.1% in the nine weeks to 21 January. In the 9 weeks to 21 January 2012, the Company has traded well with like for like sales in Managed Pubs and Hotels up 5.1%, bringing the like for like sales growth for the 42 weeks to 4.1%. Like for like profits in the Tenanted Inns division increased 1% and Own Beer volumes for the Fuller’s Beer Company grew 1% for the 42 week period.
Mitchells & Butlers also reported like-for-like sales up 6.5% for the nine weeks to 21 January. M&B, whose leading brands include Harvester, Toby, Sizzling, Crown Carvery, Browns and All Bar One, said it continued to progress a range of business initiatives, including simplifying processes and devolving greater responsibility and accountability to customer facing operations. “This will enhance the guest experience and lay the foundations for further business growth. Brand Operations Directors are now in place and further changes are anticipated in central support structures where a staff consultation period is in progress,” said executive chairman Bob Ivell.