Login
Book a demo

December sales remain level with last year, with only 0.1% increase, according to the latest data from S4labour.  

by | Jan 7, 2025 | Sales Figures

Waiter bringing coffee to his customer in a restaurant.

Overall, like-for-like sales show minimal difference when compared to the same month in 2023. In London, sales were up 5.5%, whereas areas outside of the capital saw a drop of 1.4%.  

Food-focused businesses fared better, with sites up 3.1% compared to a drop of 5.3% in wet-led venues.  

S4labour’s Chief Growth Officer, Richard Hartley, commented: “While like-for-like sales have remained steady, inflation continues to loom, putting pressure on profit margins. As we approach the anticipated price increases in April, operators will need to stay focused on delivering value, ensuring that they adapt effectively to changing economic conditions while maintaining customer satisfaction and profitability.” 

October like-for-like sales show modest growth, driven by strong performance in London 

by | Nov 11, 2024 | Sales Figures

Hospitality sales were up 1.7% in October compared to the same month last year, the latest report from S4labour reveals. 

In London, like-for-like sales rose by 7.4%. This growth was largely driven by a 12.6% year-on-year increase in food sales. 

Outside of London, like-for-like sales remained flat, showing a 0% change when compared to the same period last year. 

However, there were notable differences between different site categories across the country. Dry-led sites (those focused on food offerings rather than alcohol) performed better, with a 4.1% increase in sales, reflecting a growing preference for food-led venues. In contrast, wet-led sites saw a slight decline, with sales down by 2.9%. 

Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, Richard Hartley, commented: “This mediocre uptick in like-for-likes demonstrates the challenge of seeing any real-terms growth that operators, particular in wet-led businesses, are facing. With the proposed increases to employment costs, as well as the slash to business rates relief announced in the Autumn budget, businesses will, once again, be looking to festive trade to help towards combatting further upcoming cost-burdens.” 

How to make hospitality teams more productive

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Blogs

With Shift Success by S4labour

Starting teams strong and ensuring they stay engaged is key to delivering the perfect shift.  Productivity is boosted, team communication is improved, and most importantly, customers get a top-notch service day in, day out.  

The result? Benchmark data shows a 6.2% increase in sales per cover, making each shift more profitable for your business.  

Our Shift Success module, which includes Shift Allocation and Shift Briefing functionalities, helps your team stay connected, informed, and productive on every shift. 

These tools are built by operators, for operators, meaning they provide more than just a data-driven approach—they communicate clear roles and responsibilities as well as shift-specific briefs to ensure smooth service delivery, even during quieter periods. Let’s dive into how these features can revolutionise your operations and create a balance between efficiency and a people-first mindset.

Shift Allocation: Clear Roles for Greater Productivity

One of the most frustrating experiences for employees is starting a shift without clear direction. Ambiguity around who is responsible for what can lead to confusion, inefficiency, and even reduced service quality. This is where Shift Allocation shines. It removes uncertainty by assigning staff to specific roles, areas, and tasks before their shift even begins. 

For an operations director managing multiple venues, this functionality is a game-changer. Shift Allocation automatically informs each employee of their role—whether they are working on the bar, waiting tables, or managing the kitchen. It also specifies which area of the venue they will cover and any other responsibilities they’ll take on. 

This clarity drives productivity by allowing employees to immediately focus on their tasks, minimising downtime. And when the team knows exactly what’s expected of them, it helps create a seamless customer experience—guests are served more efficiently, tables are turned over faster, and operational bottlenecks are reduced.

Shift Briefing: Keeping Teams Informed and Motivated

In hospitality, success depends on more than just getting the basics right. To stand out, you need to ensure your team is fully informed and motivated—something that’s not always easy in a busy workforce. Shift Briefing delivers this extra layer of engagement. 

Before each shift, team members receive a briefing that outlines key information, such as: 

  • Daily specials: Keeping the team updated on menu changes or promotional items they can upsell to guests. 
  • Incentives: Any performance-based rewards or targets for the day, keeping staff motivated to hit productivity and sales goals. 
  • Slack tasks: Employees are reminded of their responsibilities for when service is quiet, whether it’s setting up, restocking, or polishing cutlery. 

Operations are much more than just a numbers game. While data is crucial for planning, staffing, and cost management, service is what sets successful operations apart. And, with constant pressure to deliver more with less, it’s easy to overlook just how much a business is built on people. By ensuring that every team member knows their role, is kept in the loop, and feels valued, you’re laying the groundwork for greater service consistency, stronger team morale, and better guest experiences.

How have the Euros impacted June’s sales?

by | Jul 4, 2024 | Sales Figures

Like for like sales were pushed up 3.3% in June, the latest sales data from S4labour reveals.   The data showed an upswing of 6% year-on-year in London, whilst sites outside the capital were up 2.7%, marking a minimal uplift for operators across the country.   June saw England’s first three Euro games kick off, along with good weather, which helped encourage sales slightly throughout the month. Both wet and dry-led sites did see some benefit of the football, with sales up 3.7% and 3.1% respectively.   Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, Richard Hartley, added: “The impact of the football and warm weather was much softer than operators would have hoped and expected. While dining out often takes a hit during key sporting events, it would appear that neither food, nor drink-focused venues have been able to fully maximise. However, with the team’s win on Sunday (30th June) securing England a spot in the quarter finals, operators will be hoping to see more games (and hopefully celebrations) throughout July to really boost sales this summer.” 

May sees LFL sales up 6.6%

by | Jun 6, 2024 | Sales Figures

The latest data from S4labour reveals an increase in like-for-like hospitality sales in May, with an overall rise of 6.6% compared to the same month last year. 

In London, sales were up 9.7% year-on-year and non-London recorded a 5.9% rise compared to May 2023.  

Wet-led venues experienced a modest increase of 3%, whilst dry-led sites saw a significant boost with an 8.4% increase in sales compared to last year. 

Richard Hartley, Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, commented: “The industry’s performance in May has been encouraging, particularly when we consider the extra bank holiday last year for the King’s coronation. With both London and non-London venues showing robust growth, and the significant rise in sales in dry-led sites, we can see a growing trend towards dining out, possibly fuelled by warmer weather.”

All articles