Greene King reports like-for-like (LFL) sales up 5.1% after 18 weeks, despite the poor weather this summer, with the Olympics having a minimal net impact on overall Retail performance.
In London, the City and the West End were generally quiet while in the suburbs, including Realpubs and Capital Pub Company sites, trading was noticeably stronger.
LFL food sales growth of 5.2% in the period, LFL drink sales growth of 5.0% and LFL room sales growth of 4.9%.
In Pub Partners, after 16 weeks, average EBITDA per pub was up 3.5%, while LFL EBITDA in the core estate was down 0.5%.
After 18 weeks, Brewing & Brands core brand volume was -0.9%. Both Old Speckled Hen and Greene King IPA, following its relaunch in April, have achieved good volume growth. Total beer volume was up 0.4%.
Overall, margins, profit, cashflow and balance sheet remain in line with expectations.
Outlook
Underlying trading trends across the business have been maintained through the summer, despite the disappointing weather. This is encouraging for the rest of the year, although consumer confidence is expected to remain subdued.
About Greene King
• Greene King was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. It currently employs 22,000 people across its main trading divisions: Retail, Pub Partners and Brewing & Brands.
• It operates about 2,300 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, of which c. 1,000 are retail pubs, restaurants and hotels. Its leading retail brands are Hungry Horse, Old English Inns, Eating Inn and Loch Fyne Restaurants.
• Greene King is also the UK’s leading cask ale brewer and premium ale brewer. Its core ale brands are Greene King IPA, the no.1 cask ale in the UK, Old Speckled Hen, the no.1 premium ale in the UK, Abbot Ale, the no.1 premium cask ale in the UK and Belhaven Best, the no.1 ale brand in Scotland.