The late Easter and the extreme weather at the start of the year hit quarterly beer sales says the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). The latest figures, released in the BBPA Quarterly Beer Barometer, show sales falling by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
Beer sales in pubs fell by 4.2 per cent, an improvement on the 5.4 per cent fall in the same period in 2013, whilst sales in supermarkets and off-licences also fell – by 1.8 per cent, compared to slight growth in 2013.
After two quarters of growth in beer sales, these figures indicate the continuing challenge for the beer and pub sector. It is hoped that the further cut in Beer Duty announced by the Chancellor in his March budget and effective from April will provide a much-needed boost to brewers.
Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, commented:
“A late Easter break and the impact of severe flooding early in the year has affected beer sales, although sales did not fall as much as they did this time last year.
“The outlook ahead is certainly more positive with the Easter sales, an expected World Cup uplift and the further boost from a cut in Beer Duty from the Chancellor.”