Pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales increase 1.2% in May, against the same month last year. Total sales, including the impact of new openings, were up 4.5%, according to latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. The London market had the healthiest growth, with like-for-likes up 1.8%, and with managed pubs in the capital performing … [Read more...]
Marston’s Craft Lager for fast-growing craft beer market
It’s well known that ‘craft beer’ is rapidly expanding across the UK: it seems that we see the announcement of (yet) another new brewery and or range of beers every day! And many pubs now offer a range of guest beers so that their customers can select from a wider range that was previously possible. In short, craft beer is delivering a growing opportunity: ‘Craft beers’ … [Read more...]
Annual beer writing competition now open for entries
The British Guild of Beer Writers has launched its annual competition for beer writing. Entries are invited in seven categories, with a total of £8,500 prize money for those whose work is judged best to further the Guild’s mission “to extend public knowledge and appreciation of beer and pubs”. Open to anyone who communicates about beer or pubs The competition is open not … [Read more...]
Pub Catering: growth with challenges ahead
Food sales continue to be critical in maintaining and growing pub revenues, and Mintel’s recent Pub Catering report provides useful insights into the increasing competition in the market and how operators are striving to build their brands, attract consumers, and innovate. Overall, continuing pub closures constrain the size of this market, as does competition from many … [Read more...]
UK’s fastest-growing bar and restaurant groups: the Top 10
BrewDog, the dynamic Scottish brewer and bar operator, has taken the top spot in an index of the fastest-growing companies in the UK eating and drinking out market, beating rivals such as Drake & Morgan, Côte and Jamie’s Italian. The 2013 Zolfo Cooper Profit Tracker, produced in association with trade business journal M&C Report, charts the profit growth of the … [Read more...]