The Blog
Dry-led sites up 9.1% in November, wet-led down 3.3%
Dec 4, 2023
The latest data from S4labour reveals that sales were up 3.8% in November, compared to the same month last year. London saw growth of 5.9% year-on-year, whilst the rest of the UK witnessed a slightly more modest increase of...
NLW increases 9.8%, but true cost is 11.5%
Nov 28, 2023
According to data from S4labour, the 9.8% increase to NLW announced yesterday by the Chancellor will mean an increase of 11.5% to costs for operators when considering the weighted impact of age distribution in the...
Malvern Inns – HLS case study
Nov 27, 2023
Case Study How Malvern Inns use both S4labour & High Level Software Malvern Inns Overview Serving up brilliant hospitality since 2010. Stylish locations with dedicated teams offering delicious food, a great selection of...
Autumn 2023: What do the Chancellor’s announcements mean for hospitality?
Nov 22, 2023
Autumn Statement 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today released his Autumn Statement, bringing forward measures on NLW, alcohol duty, business rates and NI that will have an impact on the industry and its workers. The...
Restricted content
Nov 17, 2023
Opinion piece by Alastair Scott It seems to me that one of the best skills to have under your belt in hospitality is the ability to recognise the need for change, and then practice and embed new habits. As an industry, I...
Get the best from holiday management, says S4labour
Nov 13, 2023
Leading rota, people and payroll tool provider S4labour, has shared some tips to help independent convenience and forecourt operators best manage their labour throughout the busy holiday season. It becomes increasingly...
The key to cost management: cutting slack for improved service and staff satisfaction
Nov 10, 2023
In the world of hospitality, managing costs effectively is an ongoing challenge. Traditionally, labour ratio has been a key metric for measuring success, but we think a more nuanced approach is needed to ensure both...
Hospitality sales see first decline since March
Nov 6, 2023
The latest figures for October reveal the industry experienced a 1.4% decrease in sales overall, compared to the same period last year, according to data from S4labour. This decline was driven by sites outside of London,...
The effects of ‘No-shows’
Oct 24, 2023
The latest figures from Zonal, in partnership with hospitality data and insights firm CGA by NIQ, confirm that 2023’s no-show rate has returned to post-lockdown levels. Doubling from 6% in September 2022 to 12%, these...
Restricted content
Oct 24, 2023
Opinion Piece by Alastair Scott Nowadays, the integration of tech in hospitality has become synonymous with success. I talk to companies who mistakenly think they are best-in-class, simply because they use a software...
Tempted to template?
Oct 16, 2023
Using templates to rota hospitality teams The use of rota templates in the hospitality industry can be divisive. They speed up the rota-writing process, but the risk is that the team become lazy and merely load a template...
Restricted content
Oct 13, 2023
Opinion Piece by Alastair Scott There are a few causes of the lack of improvement in UK productivity. Some research sites a lack of investment. Other research released recently suggests that working from home causes an 18%...
Restricted content
Oct 5, 2023
Thought leadership by Alastair Scott When I ran All Bar One, one of the disciplines instilled in us was to send out a weekly e-mail to our team. We did it on Sunday to show to our teams that they weren’t alone on the day,...
Industry reports strong year-on-year growth for September
Oct 4, 2023
Hospitality sees an impressive surge in like-for-like sales for the month of September, as reported by S4labour. Overall, the sector experienced a remarkable 9.6% increase in year-on-year sales. London led the charge with...
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group
Sep 25, 2023
Case StudyFrom flagship hotels to gaming arcades: how Mikhail Group manage their peopleCompany Name: Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Mikhail OverviewMikhail Hotel and Leisure Group started working with S4labour at the...
The Chestnut Group
Sep 25, 2023
Case StudyHow The Chestnut Group streamlined their people management Company Name: The Chestnut Group Chestnut OverviewWinners of this year’s Pub and Bar Award, Chestnut boast a collection of beautiful East Anglian pubs....
Nisa Partners with S4labour
Sep 15, 2023
Market-leading rota, people and payroll provider, S4labour, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with Nisa, the UK’s leading convenience retailer. As the sole preferred people management partner, Nisa retailers...
Driving employee engagement through intuitive scheduling: the rundown of Tech on Toast’s latest podcast with S4labour
Sep 13, 2023
It’s no secret that Tech on Toast has introduced an increasingly popular podcast to the hospitality world, with companies sharing insights and showcasing their expertise on industry trends, innovations and challenges in the...
August sales up 3.2% led by London
Sep 6, 2023
This month, overall sales were up 3.2% compared to last year, led by a strong August for London, according to the latest S4labour sales data. The Capital saw a solid increase of 9.9% across the board, with food and drink...
Women’s World Cup Final Boosts Pub Sales
Aug 24, 2023
Although the Lionesses didn’t bring it home, they certainly brought in some sales, with figures telling a story of celebration. Despite the early start, last Sunday saw the Women’s World Cup final drive a 10% increase in...
London year-on-year sales ahead in July, non-London sees a decline
Aug 3, 2023
In July, hospitality sales saw an overall year-on-year increase of 1.4%, the latest S4labour data reports. Food sales were responsible for this slight growth, with an increase of 5.8%, whereas drink sales were down 2.0%...
June sales see a 7.8% increase led by London
Jul 5, 2023
In June hospitality sales saw the highest year-on-year increase so far in 2023 with a 7.8% uplift, according to the latest S4labour data. This spike is largely due to London sales, which were 15.7% ahead of 2022 levels,...
Ben Hood joins S4labour as non-executive director
Jul 4, 2023
Ben Hood, co-founder and former chief executive of Fourth, has joined the board of S4labour as non-executive director. Hood joins S4labour after 20 years at Fourth, with immediate effect. His appointment is part of the next...
Propel Women’s Conference: 5 Key Takeaways
Jul 3, 2023
Recently, S4labour had the honour of participating in the Propel Women’s Conference which celebrated women’s resilience, strength, and limitless potential within each of them. This was an inspiring event that beautifully...
May sees modest sector sales uplift led by food-focused sites, growth lower than expected
Jun 7, 2023
Across May, hospitality sales saw a slight uplift of 2.7% compared to the same month last year, according to the latest S4labour report. Between London and non-London, the growth was split relatively evenly, with a 3.1% and...
A New Guide to Holiday Management in Hospitality
Jun 5, 2023
When holidays approach, it’s easy to get lost thinking about footfall and revenue, without laying the groundwork to grow both of these effectively. During busy periods, having the right amount of staff on shift at the...
Hospitality grows sales in April, with a strong May on the cards
May 4, 2023
Hospitality like-for-like sales in April were up 3.3% against last year’s levels, according to the latest S4labour report. Operators have been facing squeezed consumer confidence and an increase to national living wage...
The Coronation of King Charles III
May 2, 2023
Hospitality sales grew 14% in the week of the Queen’s Jubilee in 2022 when compared to the preceding week. Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of June were bank holidays, which gave Brits a 4-day weekend through until Sunday 5th,...
5 Tips to Help you Manage the National Living Wage Increase
Apr 13, 2023
#1 Get visibility of what you have been spending so that you can start to see the areas you might be overspending. The only way to do this is with a dynamic system that can give week-by-week and day-by-day insight into what...
March Sales Figures Show 1.8% Drop Year-on-Year
Apr 4, 2023
Overall March sales show a decline of 1.8% compared to 2022, albeit with a 6.4% uplift in London despite rail strike disruption. Rising prices continue to deter consumer spending, meaning like-for-like growth has slowed...
Oowee Vegan
Mar 24, 2023
Case StudyS4labour helps fast-food restaurant Oowee VeganCompay Name: Oowee VeganBusiness Type: Multi SiteDate: December 2022 Oowee Overview Oowee has been a customer at S4labour for over a year. Their business is split...
Nisa
Mar 23, 2023
Case StudyNisa Retailer Rav Garcha has complete visibility of costs with s4labourCompany: NisaBusiness Type: Convenience StoreDate: Feb 2023 Nisa Overview Retailer Rav Garcha operates 4 convenience stores across the West...
Boardman Community Pubs
Mar 22, 2023
Case StudyBoardman Community PubsCompay Name: Boardman Community PubsBusiness Type: Mulit SiteDate: Jan 2018Boardman Community Pubs OverviewBoardman Community Pubs joined S4labour in 2022, with 7 pubs across the UK, 5 being...
Costcutter
Mar 22, 2023
Case StudyMulti-site operator Peter Patel gets the quickest payroll with S4labourCompany: CostcutterBusiness Type: Convenience StoreDate: March 2023 Costcutter OverviewWinner of Convenience Chain of the Year in 2021,...
SPAR Retailer
Mar 21, 2023
Case StudyS4labour's time and attendance is a gamechanger for SPAR, Minster LovellCompany: SPAR, Minster LovellBusiness Type: Convenience StoreDate: Feb 2023 SPAR Overview SPAR Minster Lovell is a family business that was...
Super 8
Mar 20, 2023
Case StudySuper 8's Journey with S4labourCompay Name: Super 8 Restaurateur Ledged, Brian Hannon Super 8 OverviewLondon-based group Super 8 consists of three restaurants: Smoking Goat, Kiln and Brat, which have been going...
Warner’s Retail
Mar 19, 2023
Case StudyS4labour move Warner's Retail to the digital ageCompany: Warner's RetailBusiness Type: Convenience StoreDate: Feb 2023 Warner's Retail Overview Warner’s Retail is an independently owned group of food stores,...
Tossed
Mar 15, 2023
Case StudyTossed Saved Labour Spend by using S4labourCompay Name: TossedBusiness Type: Mulit SiteDate: 2018 Tossed Overview Tossed is a healthy fast-food chain found in central London, with 12 outlets. They serve...
February Like-for-Likes Show Little Growth
Mar 2, 2023
February sales in Hospitality show little growth, as year-on-year increase sits at 1.6%, despite low 2022 statistics that were affected by Omicron. Like-for-like growth has slowed significantly throughout 2023 so far....
4 Ideas to Inspire your Valentine’s Day Offering
Feb 7, 2023
Valentine’s Day is a big one for the sector. With everyone heading out to bars and restaurants to enjoy some quality time with loved ones, it is one of the busiest and most profitable periods for Hospitality. In 2021,...
Like-for-Like Sales up 4.1% in January Driven by Bounce in London
Feb 3, 2023
Monthly like-for-like sales in hospitality were up 4.1% compared with January 2022, the majority of which was driven by a 15.2% bounce in London. Rising prices over the last 12 months have impacted raw sales data. Although...
S4labour Appoints Ron Pearson as Non-Executive Chairman
Jan 31, 2023
S4labour has announced the appointment of Ron Pearson to the newly created position of non-executive chairman, with immediate effect. For more than 20 years, Pearson was a partner of private equity firm Bowmark Capital,...
Christmas Brings 17% Bounce in Hospitality Like-for-Like Sales
Jan 5, 2023
December Like-for-Likes were up 17% compared to the same period in 2021. While the figure represents a significant increase on the previous year, December 2021 was marred by a wave of Omicron, washing out trade for many...
Be Your Best – A Reason to be Optimistic in 2023
Jan 5, 2023
As we go into 2023, it would be easy to begin the year on the back foot. There are significant head winds facing not just our industry – the whole country feels like it’s in the weeds. Next year we will go into battle with...
Hospitality sales bounced this month
Dec 20, 2022
Hospitality sales bounced this month with an increase of 3.2% across the sector. Both London and non-London sites saw wet-led growth, totaling a 5.5% growth which was to be expected as many poured into pubs to catch the...
What We Learnt at Propel
Nov 15, 2022
Last week I attended Propel’s quarterly multi club conference, ‘New Ways of Working’ to catch the latest industry insights. Unsurprisingly, the consensus swayed closer to concern than confidence for the sector’s future....
Hospitality Sales Down for Second Consecutive Month
Nov 2, 2022
October marks the second month in a row of a significant drop in Hospitality sales. Compared to the same period in 2021 sales were down 7.1% (September -6.9%), this is despite a better trading week over half term of -1.5%....
Shocking September for Hospitality
Oct 4, 2022
Hospitality sales faltered last month with like-for-like turnover down by 6.9% versus the same period in 2021. The biggest contributor to this figure was food sales, which saw a drop of 12.7% this year. London saw an...
48 Hours at Casual Dining
Sep 16, 2022
Casual Dining 2022. Coined the definitive event for publicans and restauranteurs. After exploring this labyrinth of 200+ incredible suppliers for two days, I’m compelled to say it lives up to the name. Renowned for its...
Get to Grips With Your Daily Labour Spend
Jul 15, 2022
Following significant challenges over the last two years, hospitality is endeavouring to bounce back as restriction-free trading sees a new dawn for consumer demand. However, significant challenges are well documented, such...
May Experiences High Growth Rates for Hospitality
Jun 8, 2022
Hospitality sales during May increased by 10% on 2021 levels. Wet-led sales were up 16.5%, while dry-led sales were still up but by a smaller 4.5%. Sites in London experienced high growth as sales improved by 30%;...
The Power of Integrated Hospitality Tech
Jun 8, 2022
The world of hospitality tech is vast. There is a seemingly never-ending list of technologies that can fit into our businesses to help do things “better” than before. Over the last 10 years we have been spoilt for choice....
April Sales Experience Growth Compared with Pre COVID-19 Levels
May 30, 2022
Data from S4labour shows that hospitality sales during April increased by 3.7% on 2019 levels (pre-Covid-19). Dry-led sales experienced the most growth with a 7% rise on 2019 levels; wet-led sales still grew but by a...
Top 4 Payroll Jobs to be Done By FY23
Mar 10, 2022
FYE is a brutal time of year for payrollers. It is the most common time in any business cycle for head office payroll employees to hand in their notice, you can check out the jobs sites now and see just how many Payroll...
Top 4 Payroll Jobs to be Done By FY23
Mar 10, 2022
FYE is a brutal time of year for payrollers. It is the most common time in any business cycle for head office payroll employees to hand in their notice, you can check out the jobs sites now and see just how many Payroll...
Hospitality Sees Another Uplift in Sales
Mar 2, 2022
Hospitality sales figures during February increased by 4%.
S4labour and Newtelligence: The Rise of App-Based Table Ordering in Hospitality
Feb 28, 2022
The way people have gone about ordering food and drink — be that in a pub, bar, restaurant or cafe — is not the same as it once was.
Only A Pavement Away and S4labour Partner for New Café Initiative
Feb 21, 2022
The charity is preparing to open training Cafés across the UK and are launching this Spring.
Employee Profile vs. User Profile
Feb 17, 2022
A User Profile grants access to the management and funtionality side of the s4labour system. A persons user level will determine what they can see and do. A user profile will typically have a Username assigned to it, rather...
January Sales Reveal Some Much Needed Stability for Hospitality
Feb 7, 2022
The first month of 2022 has seen stable sales across the sector.
Week-on-Week Growth Spells Some Positivity for the Sector in a Time of Need
Jan 25, 2022
Sales were up 4.5% on the previous week.
The True Cost of Lack of Visibility and Poor Employee Management
Jan 19, 2022
Employee turnover in the hospitality industry is a problem. It’s higher than most other sectors, and we are behind the curve on giving a proper focus to engagement and retention.
People Insights That Drive Better Actions
Jan 19, 2022
Insightful data drives informed actions.
Hospitality Industry Continues to Experience Shortfalls in 2022
Jan 11, 2022
The first full week of 2022 saw hospitality sales fall by 30%.
Key Festive Dates Suffer Significant Sales Slump, following a Difficult December for Hospitality
Jan 4, 2022
Christmas Eve sales down 38% in London.
Christmas Hospitality Sales Take a Concerning Decline
Dec 29, 2021
Hospitality sales decline by 30% when compared to 2019 levels.
Hospitality in London Suffers 30% Decline in Sales
Dec 21, 2021
London is down 30% on last week’s sales.
System Update 17.12.21
Dec 17, 2021
Fixes in place in order to support system stability and performance.
Hospitality Sales Experience Decline Amidst Plan B Announcement
Dec 14, 2021
Speaking to customers, operators have experienced hundreds and hundreds of lost covers and cancellations.
Hospitality Sales Experience Slight Decline during November
Dec 3, 2021
November’s like-for-like hospitality sales dropped by 4%.
Customer Satisfaction—Getting It Right
Nov 3, 2021
How do we nail our customer satisfaction?
A Strong Month for Hospitality Sales
Nov 1, 2021
October’s monthly like-for-likes are up 13.5%.
Malvern Inns—Current Challenges
Oct 22, 2021
Firefighting has taken over from innovation.
Propel Multi Club – Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Powerful and Inspiring Speakers after an Era of Uncertainty
Oct 20, 2021
This was really the very opposite of a dull conference.
Hospitality Like-for-Likes for September Are Up
Oct 4, 2021
September 2021 has seen total hospitality sales increase by 8% when compared to September 2019.
Another Positive Week for Hospitality As Like-for-Likes Are Up for a Fifth Consecutive Week
Sep 29, 2021
Hospitality sees like-for-likes rise yet again.
Positive Hospitality Like-for-Likes for the Fourth Consecutive Week
Sep 21, 2021
Hospitality like-for-likes are up for the fourth week in a row!
CJRS – News Flash
Sep 20, 2021
An update from the Payroll Team.
Like-for-Likes Up for Third Consecutive Week
Sep 14, 2021
The third week in a row where sales have been up on 2019 levels.
September’s First Week Boasts Positive Like-for-Likes
Sep 7, 2021
Hospitality sales rise by 12% when compared to the same week in 2019.
Hospitality Like-for-Likes See Slight Increase during August
Sep 1, 2021
Hospitality sales in August 2021 increased by a small 1.6% when compared to August 2019.
Final Week of August Sees Like-for-Likes Rise by 5%
Aug 31, 2021
August’s concluding week saw sales increase by 5% when compared to the same week in 2019.
Hospitality Like-for-Likes Down 5.5%
Aug 24, 2021
Hospitality like-for-likes were down 5.5% last week when compared to the same week in 2019
Mid-August Sees High Like-for-Likes at 7.7%
Aug 17, 2021
As we start to enter mid-August, S4labour’s research shows there to be high like-for-like figures at 7.7% as well as a gradual increase in week-on-week sales figures. Last week’s food sales were up 16% compared to the same...
July Tips into Growth Off the Back of a Big Final Week
Aug 12, 2021
After 3 weeks of decline in July, the final week has led to sales being up by 1.7% in hospitality compared to July 2019
Our Staffing Challenge
Aug 12, 2021
The staffing challenge in the hospitality industry, probably amongst others, is a fascinating challenge for both our industry and the government. There are several big questions we need to understand in order to determine...
Hospitality sales up on last week but still down on 2019 by 4.9%
Jul 28, 2021
Following the lifting of restrictions, S4labour (the people, productivity and payroll software provider for hospitality) analysed last week’s hospitality sales figures. Comparing the same week in 2019, they found...
Hospitality Sales Down 9%
Jul 20, 2021
According to analysis from S4labour, the people, productivity and payroll software provider for hospitality, like-for-likes fell last week by 9.6% compared to the same week in 2019. Drink sales were down 17.7%, with food sales down 0.8% compared to the same week in 2019.
Technical Updates – HMRC employer bulletin
Jul 14, 2021
CJRS Update For periods in July 2021, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants will cover 70% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,187.50. In August and September 2021, this will then reduce...
A Stay-At-Home Euros sees a fall in industry like-for-likes by 3.9% last week.
Jul 13, 2021
A Stay-At-Home Euros sees a fall in industry like-for-likes by 3.9% last week. According to analysis from S4labour, the hospitality people and payroll software, the Euros-Finals weekend saw sales fall by 3.9% compared to...
Revving Up the Engine
Jul 5, 2021
When I go on holiday for two weeks, I always find the first day back pretty tough. Having switched off my mind a little for that period, I find getting back into work on day one really hard, so much so, that I wonder if it...
Sales in June up 4.4% on 2019 figures despite on-going restrictions.
Jul 2, 2021
The latest sales data from S4labour shows that hospitality sales for the month of June were up 4.4% on the same week in 2019. This is made up of a healthy increase in food sales of 16.2% but a significant decline in drinks...
UK’s Hospitality Embraces Staff Across The Globe.
Jun 24, 2021
UK’s Hospitality Industry resonates as a leader with a plethora of international staffing. A good 20.4% of its workforce is non-British. The industry sees a myriad of nationalities absorbed into its sector. Current...
Half Term Like-for-Like Sales Up by 11.5%
Jun 8, 2021
Half term presented a great opportunity for families to explore hospitality venues last week. This helped to boost sales by 11.5% compared to the same half term in 2019. The industry saw a strong performance in food...
Staff Shortages and High Demand Causing hospitality businesses serious problems
Jun 4, 2021
Data from S4labour, shows a reduction in the size of the hospitality workforce of 29% since February 2020 (pre-pandemic). Coupled with the reduction in the workforce we can report that 26% of employees remain on...
Sunny Late Spring Bank Holiday Drives 63% Increase In Like For Like Sales
Jun 2, 2021
As The U.K. recorded it’s hottest May Bank holiday last weekend, hospitality experienced a significant 63% jump in like for like sales, comparing the Saturday to Monday with the same Bank holiday weekend in 2019. ...
Indoor Re-Opening Sales Figures
May 25, 2021
Hospitality like-for-likes sales UP 9% on indoor re-opening week. In the first full week since operators were able to serve guests indoors since November 2020, hospitality sales were up 9% compared to the same week in 2019....
Hospitality Indoor Reopening Sales Figures – Day 1
May 20, 2021
Hospitality sales down over 10% on first day of indoor trading. Sales from Monday, the first day operators were allowed to serve guests inside, were down 10.3%. The research undertaken by S4labour, analysed hospitality...
Re-Opening Sales Figures – Week 4
May 11, 2021
Hospitality sales continue to tumble, DOWN 23% week on week. Hospitality sales continued their decline last week, sliding 23% compared to the previous week. While roughly half of sites remain closed, those that did trade...
Re-Opening Sales Figures – Week 3
May 4, 2021
Hospitality week on week sales down 1.2%. According to analysis from S4labour, last week’s hospitality sales were down 1.2% on the previous week. However, the decline was driven from weak performance in London, where week...
Re-opening Sales Figures – Week 2
Apr 27, 2021
Hospitality Like-for-likes down 10.5%, with 70% of sites trading at similar or above 2019 levels. According to analysis of more than 150 organisations that use S4labour’s workforce management software, there is little...
Hospitality Re-Opening Week Sales Figures
Apr 21, 2021
Hospitality like-for-like sales up 9.1% but 45% of sites remain closed resulting in total sales decline of 25%. According to an analysis of more than 150 organisations that use S4labour’s workforce management software,...
9 Things To Know About The New Tax Year
Apr 1, 2021
Personal Tax Allowance change from £12,500 to £12,570; basic rate 20% bandwidth £1 to £37,700. New employees on RTI submission before 2nd March 2021 are eligible for furlough from 1st May 2021. From 1st July 2021 you will...
April Re-Opening Forecast
Apr 1, 2021
Hospitality industry forecasts 70% of normal revenue to return when outdoor service resumes on the 12th of April.
Covid Hits Hospitality Sales for £89 billion
Mar 23, 2021
As the grim anniversary of the beginning of the first lockdown approaches, analysis from S4labour shows that the hospitality industry lost just over £89 billion in revenue through the full year since March 23rd 2020, when the hospitality industry was first instructed to close. This is equivalent to 68.9% of annual revenue, representing an average decline of half a £million per site across the U.K.
Important changes to NLW and NMW
Mar 16, 2021
Important changes to NLW and NMW National living wage increases have become a metronomic feature of the financial year, and while this year's increase is nothing untypical, both Furlough arrangements and the changes in age...
Re-Opening Resources
Mar 2, 2021
As hospitality slowly reopens, we have created some helpful resources to ensure you are ready for a high intensity return to amazing hospitality.
Training in 2021
Mar 1, 2021
Training in 2021 It's been a strange year for everyone, particularly a lot of us in hospitality and every area of our businesses have been turned upside down by Covid. As we start to see some light at the end of the tunnel...
Hospitality suffers 540,000 jobs in 2020
Feb 19, 2021
Hospitality Suffers 540,000 job losses in 2020 and is on the verge of losing a significant amount more.There are many industries that have suffered throughout 2020, but hospitality has been near uniquely placed at the...
The True Cost of Furlough
Feb 3, 2021
Furlough costs the UK Hospitality industry in excess of £542 million a month during lockdown - The True Cost of Furlough Furlough has been a lifeline for so many businesses in the hospitality sector and beyond, however...
2020 Full Hospitality Sales Report
Jan 11, 2021
2020 saw revenue decline of 51.38% overall, characterised mainly by a 98.3% decline in Q2 driven by lockdown 1. In the first two months of the year, prior to the effects of the pandemic, revenue growth was 6.6%. As pubs and...
A heavy decline in sales, and a 50% discount for S4labour customers for January.
Jan 1, 2021
Following a heavy decline in sales, S4labour writes to all customers promising 50% discount in wake of new low point for the industry. Analysis from S4labour shows that total hospitality industry sales were down 73.7% on...
Christmas takings in pubs, bars and restaurants fall almost 80%
Dec 29, 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/28/christmas-takings-in-pubs-bars-and-restaurants-fall-almost-80 Analysis from S4labour shows that total hospitality industry sales were 79.4% down on last year from Christmas...
Dec 2020 sales to date
Dec 21, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that sales are down 64.3% year on year for Tier 2 venues, for December to date. As a result of the restrictions places on hospitality, food is down 55.3% and drink is down a significant 72.5%....
Tenzo & S4labour – covid sales effect
Dec 15, 2020
Joint Research Between S4labour and Tenzo identifies 98% rise in takeaway sales, but has little impact on overall decline of hospitality like for likes. 15.12.2020 Joint research from hospitality software providers...
Sales by Tier, coming out of lockdown 2.0
Dec 8, 2020
Tiers 1,2 and 3 down 30%, 39.2% and 77.8% respectively. Analysis from S4labour shows that sales in Tier 1, 2 ad 3 venues are down 30%, 39.2% and 77.8% respectively year on year. As we expected, the tougher lockdown...
The Future of Hospitality
Dec 4, 2020
The future of hospitality – we are part of the solution and not the problem by Alastair Scott I am surprised the quote from Mark Twain of: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics” has not been used...
Hospitality industry loses 94% of sales over lockdown
Nov 30, 2020
Hospitality industry loses 94% of sales over lockdown Analysis from S4labour shows that through lockdown 2.0, hospitality sales in sites that were trading in England were 80% down on pre lockdown levels and 96.5% down year...
December sales forecast
Nov 26, 2020
S4labour downgrades hospitality sales forecast in December to -45% in wake of toughened tier restrictions. S4labour have undertaken research to help operators forecast sales as lockdown 2.0 comes to an end and England and...
Lockdown 2
Nov 12, 2020
Take-away sales during lockdown 2 Analysis from S4labour shows that just 25% of sites have stayed open after lockdown, with 75% closing during the first week of lockdown. There is little variation between rural and urban...
Hospitality sales up 39.1% yesterday, versus -75% on the last day of trading in March.
Nov 5, 2020
Lockdown 2 versus lockdown 1 Analysis from S4labour shows that sales in the hospitality sector this week, Monday to Wednesday, were up 3.1%, 35.3% and 39.1% respectively, on last week, with tier 1 sites up -9.1, 18.1% and...
Extended Furlough
Nov 1, 2020
Extended Furlough In Propel's Friday’s Opinion I published our guidance on the Job Support Scheme (JSS) that was due to start on the 1st November but mentioned that the government website would publish further...
The Job Support Scheme – How Does It Work
Oct 29, 2020
How does the new Job Support Scheme (JSS) actually work, S4labour’s Richard Hartley explains all.
The effect of the curfew on hourly sales
Oct 13, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality sales are 18.27% below what they were before the curfew, comparing week 37 & 38 to week 40 & 41 (before and after curfew). When we look at the 18.27% decrease broken...
Last week’s sales like for like %
Oct 12, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality sales from last week were down 12.8% compared to last year, however when we take a closer look, sales in dry-led venues are up 16% on last year, yet wet-led venues are down 40%....
A second look at sales, after the curfew was introduced.
Oct 6, 2020
Analysis from S4labour that hospitality sales from last week were down 21.2% compared to the week before the curfew (2 weeks prior), with sales of food down 19.1% and drink sales down 23.2% on two weeks before. While weekly...
FT – September sales like for like %
Oct 2, 2020
For the full article by S4labour, please go to https://www.s4labour.co.uk/a-first-look-at-year-on-year-sales-after-the-eotho-scheme/
A first look at year on year sales, after the EOTHO scheme.
Oct 1, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality like for like sales in September were down 4.3% compared to the same month last year. With consumer confidence boosted in August by EOTHO, the momentum seems to have continued...
A first look at the impact of the 10pm curfew on hospitality sales.
Sep 29, 2020
10pm curfew drops sales by 12.9%. Analysis from S4labour shows that sales over Thursday to Sunday when comparing the week prior to the curfew with last week show a 10.9% decrease in food sales and a 14.7% decrease in drinks...
How to keep labour costs firmly in hand
Sep 24, 2020
As published in BII New normal, same old same old 2020 has brought a wave of challenges, some expected (April’s minimum wage increase), others less so; who could have foreseen the COVID-19 pandemic? This...
Hospitality Sales Figures Press Release from S4labour
Sep 15, 2020
Weekly hospitality sales down 9% on last year but remain 10.4% on pre EOTHO levels. Analysis from S4labour shows that in the first full week without any government support, hospitality like for like sales were down 9.0% on...
Weekly hospitality sales up 19.9% on pre EOTHO levels.
Sep 8, 2020
Weekly hospitality sales up 19.9% on pre EOTHO levels. Analysis from S4labour shows that last weeks hospitality sales were up 19.9% on pre EOTHO levels. However, as the Eat Out to Help Out scheme came to an end, children...
Hospitality Like For Likes bounce back in August
Sep 4, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality like for like sales in August were flat, down just 0.4% compared to the same month last year. The Eat Out To Help Out scheme had the desired effect with those sites that were...
Hospitality Like For Likes bounce back in August
Sep 1, 2020
Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality like for like sales in August were flat, down just 0.4% compared to the same month last year. The Eat Out To Help Out scheme had the desired effect with those sites that were...
Labour Ratios
Aug 24, 2020
S4labour release labour percentages since lockdown ended Short story Industry Labour ratios increase by 10% in first month of trading as operators get a handle on new ways of operating and lower sales levels. Analysis...
Brat opens pop-up restaurant
Aug 21, 2020
Last month we spoke to Brian Hannon from Super 8 restaurants about how he transformed an outdoor space into Brat, in just a few weeks...
Eat Out Sales Figures
Aug 11, 2020
Week on week sales jump 20.5% on the back of Eat Out Scheme. Analysis from S4labour shows a leap in like-for-likes sales of 20.5% on last week. The figures also show that last weeks like-for-like sales surpassed the same...
Impact of the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Aug 6, 2020
Eat out to help out sees sales increase by 70.9% over the first three days of the week. Sales numbers taken from S4labour have shown that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has proved hugely successful and a welcome boost to...
Week on week like-for-like sales UP a further 13.4%
Jul 27, 2020
Analysis of sales from operators who were open last week showed that overall sales were up 13.4% on the previous week, with sales of food up 22.2% and drink sales growing 7.3% on the previous full weeks trading. The...
Re-opening Sales Figures
Jul 17, 2020
Like-for-like sales down 30% year-on-year in first full week of trading since regulations ease: Last week we reported that like-for-like sales were down 33.6% year-on-year in first weekend of trading since regulations...
Like-for-likes down 30% year-on-year in first full week of trading since regulations ease
Jul 14, 2020
The week that preceded opening weekend saw a 30% drop in like-for-like sales compared with the previous year. Data from S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, showed like-for-like...
Employee challenges and latest unpicking of furlough by Alastair Scott and Richard Hartley
Jun 26, 2020
Following on from the announcement on Tuesday (23 June) pubs, restaurants and hotels can reopen with a reduced social distancing of “one metre-plus”, we are now on a mission to get everything in place in time for 4 July....
‘Giving furloughed staff holiday could save industry £4bn bill it can ill-afford’
May 18, 2020
Richard Hartley, chief operating officer of S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, has suggested operators should consider holiday for furloughed staff – potentially saving the...
Government clarifies holiday position for furloughed staff
Apr 23, 2020
The government has confirmed staff on furlough continue to accrue holiday in line with their contract. This can be varied if agreed with the employee but not below the statutory 5.6 weeks. It has also been confirmed staff...
S4labour – change in criteria for furlough scheme means some staff may no longer be eligible
Apr 17, 2020
S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, has warned the change in criteria for employee eligibility on furlough pay means some staff may now miss out. The government has extended the...
Latest on the CJRS by Richard Hartley
Apr 9, 2020
Following a number of updates from the government on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) we have updated our advice and want to highlight a few of these points and explain what they mean for operators. Portal...
Furlough pay by Richard Hartley
Mar 27, 2020
The government released new guidelines yesterday on how to handle furlough pay (see link below for full details). We are creating a furlough pay type for S4labour to support our customers through this challenging time but I...
Propel launches BeatTheVirus campaign
Mar 26, 2020
Propel has launched BeatTheVirus to help operators through the covid-19 crisis. We have teamed up with Propel Multi Club conference series partners to offer the sector their expertise. Partners will offer more general...
BeatTheVirus – S4labour offers advice on furlough pay
Mar 25, 2020
Richard Hartley, chief product officer of S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, has offered readers advice on the issue of furlough pay. He said: “We are awaiting further...
February 2020 Like For Like Sales Figures
Mar 4, 2020
Like for like sales figures jump 4.4% for hospitality providers in February. According to analysis of more than 1,500 sites using S4labour software, overall like for like sales were up 4.4% in February 2020, compared...
We spoke to Brian from Super 8 Restaurants…
Feb 26, 2020
Last year we spoke to Brian Hannon from Super 8 restaurants about how he uses S4labour to run his three amazing restaurants...
March Shows and Events
Feb 24, 2020
During March, S4labour will be at multiple events, showcasing the system and speaking to existing and future customers. We would love to catch up with you and show you what's new. We will be manning stands on various dates,...
January 2020 Like For Like Sales Figures
Feb 10, 2020
Like for like sales figures bounce 5.5% for hospitality providers in January. According to analysis of more than 1,500 sites using S4labour software, overall like for like sales were up 5.5% in January 2020, compared...
How being a “grabber” was a spring board to great things.
Jan 22, 2020
People that know me are always shocked to hear that I suffered with lack of confidence when I was a younger. It was while doing a culinary course at college that I won pastry chef of the year, and I discovered I loved the...
Why Training Matters In Hospitality
Jan 9, 2020
Getting people to change the way they do things is no easy task, often a simple change feels impossible. It can be easy for us as leaders to see the problem and get frustrated when others can’t. Similarly, we get annoyed...
2019 Like For Like Sales Figures
Jan 7, 2020
Like for like sales figures up 1.7% for hospitality providers in 2019 compared to 2018. According to analysis of more than 1,500 sites using S4labour software, like for like sales in 2019 were up 1.7%, compared to...
December 2019 Sales Figures
Jan 3, 2020
-Like for like sales figures flatline for hospitality providers in December 2019. According to analysis of more than 1,500 sites using S4labour software, overall like for like sales were static in December 2019,...
Advice for a Successful Christmas
Dec 10, 2019
The festive period is a bustling time of year for hospitality businesses. It's not just an opportunity to boost your sales, providing customers with exceptional service during December is a sure-fire way to drive repeat...
November Sales Figures
Dec 10, 2019
Like for like sales figures grow 6% for hospitality providers in November 2019. According to analysis of more than 1,500 sites using S4labour software, overall like for like sales grew by 6.0% in November 2019 compared with...
October Sales Figures
Nov 28, 2019
Like for like sales figures grow 1.1% for hospitality providers in October 2019.According to analysis of more than 1,500 restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and cafes that use S4labour software, sales of both food and drink...
September Sales Figures
Oct 2, 2019
August Sales Figures
Sep 3, 2019
Why are the small companies more successful than big ones?
Aug 9, 2019
Why are the small companies more successful than big ones? In the hospitality sector the progressive small companies are outperforming the large ones to a significant extent.While of course the hospitality sector is just as much about site economics as scale economics, I have long puzzled about why this is the case. As a […]
July Sales Figures
Aug 7, 2019
5.4% rise in food and drink sales in July 2019. According to analysis of more than 100 restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and cafes that use S4labour software, sales of both food and drink were up 5.4% in July 2019 compared to July 2018. Both wet and dry led operations saw positive like […]
Tronc, Tronc Pots and the Troncmaster
Jul 23, 2019
June Sales Figures
Jul 5, 2019
3.3% fall in like for like hospitality sales in June 2019. According to analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4labour software, sales of both food and drink across the sector took a hit this June. Tough trading condition coupled with lower temperatures, higher levels of rainfall and being compared to the […]
May Sales Figures
Jun 5, 2019
Drink sales drive a 1% rise in sales for hospitality revenues in May 2019. According to analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4labour software, a spike in sales at drink focused venues drove an overall 1% rise in sales across the sector. The latest sales figures show a resilient bounce back from […]
April Sales Figures
May 2, 2019
0.7% Fall in Sales in April Despite Good Easter Weather According to analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4labour software, operators had slightly weaker sales than in the same month the previous year. Whilst the first quarter of 2019 had seen resilient figures for both food and drink, A sunny Easter bank […]
Benefits of PS4payroll
Apr 15, 2019
Payroll For Hospitality Providers Data from S4Labour directly feeds PS4payroll; reducing time, effort, and any potential for error. There’s no need to collate, migrate, or manipulate data. Payroll, pensions, and payments are all completed without hassle or stress. Payroll data feeds from the S4Labours scheduling and HR functions, so your team are paid right […]
March Sales Figures
Apr 2, 2019
Buoyant Sales performance for Hospitality Operators In March 2019. According to an analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4Labour software, operators had strong sales during March 2019, with food sales and drink sales up in both dry-led and in wet-let sites. Going into April’s annual National Price Hike Day and an […]
Propel Multi Club – What We Learnt (Part 2)
Mar 15, 2019
Following on from the previous post about the March Propel Multi Club event, we have continued to consider what lessen could be learnt form the speakers and the people we met. Part 2 – The sector is changing and quality is key Against a backdrop of media reports that some sectors are currently suffering, it […]
Propel Multi Club – What We Learnt (Part 1)
Mar 14, 2019
What a success the March Propel Multi Club was this year! The team from Catton Hospitality had a great day speaking to a spectrum of people and were proud to be one of the event sponsors. Taking to the stage this year were a variety of industry experts, each with serious pedigree in their fields. […]
February Sales Figures
Mar 1, 2019
Buoyancy in the hospitality sector, according to recent figures from Catton Hospitality. According to an analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4labour software, operators bounced back from the January blues to see strong sales figures in February 2019 compared with like for like figures from February 2018. Overall, sites achieved an encouraging […]
Another exciting opportunity to join the Catton team
Feb 20, 2019
As we continue to expand, we are recruiting for a Developer in addition to four other roles. The successful candidate will join the in-house development team at our Banbury headquarters in creating and maintaining cutting edge labour management software for the hospitality industry. Please see full details for this and the other roles below. We […]
January Sales Figures
Feb 1, 2019
According to an analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4Labour software, operators faced challenging condition during the month of January. Against the back drop of Dry January, Blue Monday and Veganuary, there was a slight 0.9% drop in like-for-likes sales. Following on from a strong Christmas period, wet-led venues bore the brunt of […]
We’re Recruiting – Four Great Opportunities to Join Catton Hospitality
Jan 9, 2019
Due to our continued success we are currently looking for positive, professional and fun people to join us! We have four new vacancies: Product Manager Business Manager – Hotel & Specialist Product Manager – Forecasting/Reporting Training & Implementation Manager – Customer Success The full job descriptions for these positions can be found below. If you […]
Top Tips for a Successful Dry January
Jan 7, 2019
After an indulgent festive period, many will aim to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and limit their alcohol intake for “Dry January”. Studies estimate that over 4 million people plan to stop drinking for the first month of 2019. A cut back on spending and calories from customers makes it a difficult time of year for […]
Impressive December Sales for S4Labour Customers
Jan 3, 2019
December was another excellent month for operators. Following strong November sales, December like-for-likes were up 4.5%, according to an analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4Labour software. Wet-led venues enjoyed a 3.9% boost in sales, thanks to a 6.5% increase in food sales. Meanwhile, food-focused businesses were the biggest winners overall with a […]
Top Tips- Making the Most of the Festive Season
Dec 5, 2018
Christmas is the “most wonderful time of year” for hospitality. After quieter Autumn trading, the festive season brings a surge in demand and a chance to drive repeat custom. The festive atmosphere marks an increase in footfall and a boost to profits. The best operators will exploit this further to maximise revenue in preceding months. […]
Strong Growth in November Sales for S4Labour Customers
Dec 4, 2018
November was an excellent month for hospitality, as like-for-like sales were up by 4.7% compared with 2017 levels- according to a study of over 100 hospitality organisations that use S4Labour scheduling, HR and Payroll software. Drink sales were the main driver behind the strong results; the hospitality industry saw a 6.5% increase on 2017’s levels, […]
What we Learned at the Propel Autumn Conference
Nov 15, 2018
Recently, we were lucky enough to sponsor the Multi Club Conference, the latest in a series of exceptional Propel events. This year’s autumn conference was filled with enlightening talks from a variety of speakers across the hospitality industry. It was a pleasure to spend the day with passionate leaders who genuinely care about what they […]
Dip in October Sales for UK Hospitality
Nov 6, 2018
Recent growth in UK hospitality revenues has ceased as October brought a 1% dip in average sales, according to our latest research. Analysis of over 100 organisations that use S4Labour software found the decline was driven by lower food sales, with operators typically seeing a 2% fall. Following a summer of high spending, its likely […]
The Labour Misconception
Oct 24, 2018
The labour misconception by Alastair Scott Our CEO, Alastair, highlights the tough period ahead for the hospitality industry. He reflects on “Worrying times”, an article written by Ann Elliott, chief executive of Elliotts, a leading integrated marketing agency in the hospitality and leisure sector. Ann Elliott’s recent article in Propel’s Friday Opinion series was a […]
Rise in September Sales
Oct 9, 2018
Food sales drive rise in September sales for S4 Labour customers Like-for-like sales in September were up by 0.5% compared with 2017 levels, according to a study of over 100 hospitality organisations that use S4Labour scheduling and HR software. Food sales were the driving force behind this rise as these operators saw an average 3.5% increase across their […]
Top Tips – Efficient Sunday Lunch
Oct 9, 2018
Top Tips for Efficient Sunday Lunch Service At this time of year, people are seeking comforting food in a cosy atmosphere. Autumn brings about a high demand for Sunday lunches and this can be critical to overall profitability. Here’s our top tips for an efficient Sunday lunch service. Staffing up the curve We often speak […]
Top Tips – Driving Sales
Sep 3, 2018
At S4Labour we are often approached by operators who ask for help controlling costs in their venues. While we can certainly oblige in this, an often overlooked yet equally significant factor in promoting the overall health of a hospitality business is driving increased sales. Here are our top tips. Forecast Sales to Deploy Efficiently Avoiding […]
August Sales Soar for S4Labour Customers
Sep 3, 2018
August was another excellent month for S4Labour customers, and the wider UK hospitality industry, our latest research has found. Like for like sales were up on average 3.9% compared to 2017’s revenues, as businesses across all sectors and trading styles enjoyed an increase in both wet and dry takings. Drink sales were the main driver […]
Top Tips – Preparing for the Sales Downturn
Aug 8, 2018
Recent months have been hugely positive for the UK hospitality industry. Our own analysis revealed that, bolstered by fine weather and the World Cup, average June revenues were up 5.4% on 2017. This followed equally impressive May trading and will mean many operators are heading into August feeling flush. As pleasant as it would be […]
Quieter July for UK Hospitality
Aug 2, 2018
Following a superb early summer, July was a quieter month for UK hospitality. May and June both saw like for like sales up in excess of 5%, but this rising trend has been arrested, according to our latest research. Analysis of over 100 organisations using our S4Labour software across all industry sectors found on average […]
What We Learned At Propel Multi Club Summer Conference
Jul 17, 2018
We were privileged to sponsor the Propel Multi Club Summer Conference that took place a couple of weeks ago. The day presented a range of insightful talks from industry leaders and entrepreneurial talent, whilst the evening offered a chance for networking with peers, new and old. Exploring untapped markets, expanding at carefully considered rates, and […]
Great British Pub Awards Nominations for Eight S4Labour Customers
Jul 9, 2018
No fewer than eight venues using S4Labour have been nominated as finalists across six categories for the Great British Pub Awards 2018. The latest round of judging has now been completed, and representatives from the eight venues will now take their place at the prestigious awards night in September, hoping to scoop category wins ranging […]
Impressive June Sales for S4Labour Customers
Jul 3, 2018
June was a superb month for sales for S4Labour customers, our latest analysis has found. Research into over 100 organisations across all industry sectors revealed that average like for like revenues were up 5.4%. Recent fine weather and the start of the World Cup are likely factors in the increase, with drink sales 6.7% and food sales […]
Wake Up and Smell the Better Labour Deployment
Jun 21, 2018
S4Labour is equally effective across all styles of hospitality business. We recently rolled out S4Labour into BEAR, a fresh hybrid concept where chic cafe meets lively bar with a side order of delicious home-cooked food. BEAR, who recently opened their third venue, have grand plans for expansion, and will use S4Labour to provide the foundations […]
Top Tips for World Cup Success
Jun 6, 2018
Nothing captures the imagination of the British public quite like the World Cup. The month-long festival of football – inevitably bringing disappointment in England and delight for fans in other parts of the UK – never fails to create a sustained party atmosphere. The potential for hospitality operators to capitalise is huge, especially those in […]
Excellent May Trading for S4Labour Customers
Jun 4, 2018
May was an excellent month for the UK hospitality industry with like for like sales across the industry up 5% on 2017 levels, our latest research has found. Analysis of over 100 organisations using our S4Labour scheduling and HR software revealed that strong drink sales – likely bolstered by fine weather and the Royal Wedding […]
Staffing for Fine Weather – Our Advice
Apr 18, 2018
After a winter that seemed to last a lifetime, with Artic conditions punishing hospitality operators well into March, spring is finally here. Britain is basking in warm, sunny weather and the fine days are set to last into the weekend, giving the industry a golden chance to make proverbial hay. But simply throwing open the […]
High Profile New Clients Drive S4Labour Growth
Apr 11, 2018
S4Labour is leading workforce management software for the hospitality industry. Since 2011, its innovative visual analysis of hourly sales data, taken direct from EPoS integrations, has allowed operators to optimise staff deployment, resulting in lower costs and increased sales. The feature-rich package also significantly reduces administrative time for its users. The fully-integrated HR module, covering […]
What We’ve Done to Ensure GDPR Compliance
Mar 23, 2018
On May 25th, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect. The new laws oblige businesses to amend the way they interact with data in a world with an increasingly technological outlook. As such, we have reviewed, audited, and documented our processes, and have made appropriate changes. How the GDPR affects S4Labour and its users. […]
S4Labour Clients Scoop Publican Awards
Mar 14, 2018
The champagne corks were popping for two S4Labour customers, who claimed category wins as the prestigious Publican Awards last night. Seafood Pub Company, who manage twelve sites in the North West of England, saw off stiff competition to secure the coveted Best Food Offer prize. They pride themselves on an ethos of sourcing quality local produce […]
“We Couldn’t Have Done it Without S4Labour” – Life & Soul Case Study
Mar 14, 2018
Life & Soul is a multi-site hospitality operator based in Cheshire. Its directors previously ran the DV8 cocktail bars brand and following the sale of two sites last year established Life & Soul as a new entity. The company has flourished since, with its Rumba Macclesfield venue claiming the Best Turnaround prize at the prestigious […]
What We Learned at the Propel Multi-Club March Conference
Mar 13, 2018
Last Wednesday we were lucky enough to sponsor the Propel Multi-Club March 2018 Conference. With a line-up of industry experts delivering talks on a variety of topics, we were eager to hear what they had to say. The talks were of a high quality, with speakers combining their experiences with opinion on the current market […]
S4Labour Featured in Propel’s Friday Opinion
Mar 9, 2018
S4Labour CEO Alastair Scott was featured in the latest edition of the always excellent “Friday Opinion” series of articles published by Propel Info, one of UK hospitality’s most respected institutions. In response to a previous piece written by the Thai Leisure Group’s James Hacon, Alastair discussed the challenges and opportunities that define the burgeoning relationship […]
February Like for Likes Up for S4Labour Customers
Mar 5, 2018
Analysis of over 100 organisations using S4Labour showed positive sales growth for the majority of operators last month. Our latest research into revenues at operators across all sectors of hospitality revealed an average increase in sales of 0.2% on February 2017 levels. This was primarily driven by wet-led businesses, which enjoyed on average a 4.8% […]
First Class Multi-Site Operators Join S4Labour
Feb 14, 2018
2018 has already seen a number of superb multi-site operators begin using our industry-leading S4Labour workforce management and HR software. Increasingly, business leaders are recognising the value our systems bring them to reduce costs, increase sales and service levels, and improve processes, and are eager to come on board. Our newest clients include Butcombe Brewery‘s 24-strong […]
Our Advice On How To Fall In Love With Valentine’s Day
Feb 9, 2018
Hospitality venues can look forward to Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for increased footfall and boosted sales. However, Valentine’s Day isn’t always a day that managers love. Here’s our advice on how to make this year’s event a success. Boost Sales Valentine’s Day is a great way for operators to drive increased sales. Being a […]
Our Research Featured in the Morning Advertiser – Christmas Day Significance Grows
Feb 5, 2018
By working intimately with some of hospitality’s biggest and best operators, we are able to gain valuable insight into the industry’s trading conditions and trends. Taking data from over 100 organisations who use our S4Labour labour management software, our new research, which has been featured in the Morning Advertiser, has revealed that Christmas Day is […]
Top Tips for Upselling
Jan 19, 2018
January brings a sharp decline in sales across hospitality, and optimising sales revenue is a hot topic once again. Our recent analysis found that certain industry sectors have suffered as much as a 60% drop in sales this month compared to December trading. If businesses are to thrive at this barren time of year, upping […]
Our Research – January Sees Sharp Sales Decline
Jan 15, 2018
2018 is now two weeks old. January, typically the hospitality industry’s quietest month, is half gone, and the impact to sales for many venues has been dramatic. Trading Style Trend from Dec (Nov) Late Night -60.8% (-28.2%) Hotels -40.6% (-21.1%) Food-Led Pubs -35.5% (-9.9%) Restaurants -32.8% (-14.7%) Wet-Led Pubs -32.4% (-21.3%) Taking data from our […]
We’re Exhibiting Soon…
Jan 9, 2018
February promises to be an exciting month, as S4Labour are exhibiting at two of hospitality’s biggest trade shows in London. First up is Pub18, the UK’s only dedicated pub industry show, which opens its doors at Kensington’s Olympia on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th. Two weeks later we will be taking our place amongst […]
Top Tips for Writing an Efficient Rota
Jan 5, 2018
2018 is upon us, but for hospitality operators, the new year is all too often not a happy one. After December’s glut of sales, January can feel like a famine. With the public watching their waistlines and looking after the pennies once more, footfall at most sites will be down causing revenue to suffer. More […]
Our Advice for Business Success During Dry January
Dec 28, 2017
After a few too many pigs in blankets and countless celebratory Christmas drinks, January is viewed by many as a chance to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and reduce spending on food and drink after an indulgent festive period. Over 3 million people have said that they plan to give up alcohol during the first […]
S4Labour Partners with Tahola to Deliver Integrated and Innovative Solutions
Dec 8, 2017
We are delighted to announce that we have established an integration with leading data and business analytics providers Tahola. We will work together with Tahola to provide the hospitality industry with a solution that meets organisations’ labour management and business intelligence requirements. This will result in reduced costs, improved processes, and increased revenue for operators. […]
S4Labour Customers Nominated for Publican Awards
Dec 7, 2017
Congratulations are in order for three S4Labour clients who have been confirmed as finalists at the 2018 edition of the prestigious Publican Awards. Seafood Pub Company will vie to claim the hotly-contested Best Food Offer category, an accolade they previously won in 2015, while Anglian Country Inns beat off stiff competition to take their place […]
Our Advice for a Successful Christmas
Dec 5, 2017
The festive period is a bustling time of year for hospitality businesses. Within it lies an opportunity to impress your customers and boost your sales. Providing customers with exceptional service during December is a sure-fire way to drive repeat custom during the following months. Here’s our advice on how to make this Christmas a roaring […]
How to Reset your S4Labour Password
Dec 1, 2017
We often hear from S4Labour users who wish to reset their password, either because they wish to change it or because they cannot remember the original. Resetting a password is a quick and simple process which can be done by following the process below: Step One On the S4Labour login page input your email address […]
Staffing for December – Top Tips
Nov 14, 2017
December is a blessing for hospitality. Bookended by autumn’s dwindling trade and a cold, baron January, the “festive season” represents a sparkling opportunity. Increased footfall and a party atmosphere mean a revenue-boost is all but guaranteed. The best operators will exploit this further, both by maximising immediate profitability and using December to promote the long-term […]
Improving your Sales Forecasting
Nov 10, 2017
With the festive season just around the corner, it is important for hospitality businesses to strategically plan for the increased demand during the weeks and months ahead. Accurate sales forecasting will ensure operators get the most from this busy period. Accuracy is Key Many businesses will under-forecast in order to keep labour costs low, and […]
An Integrated Solution is a Better Solution
Nov 7, 2017
At S4Labour, we are proud that our labour management system was created by operators for operators. Our people have a wealth of experience gained from backgrounds in all sectors of hospitality, and we continue to manage three food-led destination pubs, two with bedrooms. These provide the perfect environment to ensure our products stay at the […]
S4Labour Featured in Welcome Systems Podcast
Nov 6, 2017
At S4Labour, we understand the wide range of systems that contribute to the successful running of a modern hospitality business. We have an active integration with Welcome Systems, market-leading providers of Property Management software. This allows optimisation of scheduling in sites offering overnight accommodation, with demand for housekeeping and food service staff driven by room occupancy rates […]
What we Learned at the Propel Multi Club Autumn Conference
Nov 3, 2017
On Wednesday we were fortunate enough to sponsor the final Propel Multi Club Conference of the year. With industry leaders and entrepreneurial talent from a range of sectors scheduled to speak, we were eager to hear what they had to say. With an abundance of knowledge in their respective areas, we were provided with real […]
We’re Sponsoring the Propel Conference
Oct 12, 2017
S4Labour are continuing our sponsorship of Propel events with the final Multi-Club Conference of 2017. The conference will take place on Wednesday 1st November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London. We will have a stand in the refreshments and networking area and will be available throughout the day to discuss controlling costs, driving greater […]
Six Reasons to Work With S4Labour – Quotes from the Best Operators
Oct 11, 2017
At S4Labour we work with over 100 of Britain’s best hospitality organisations, ranging from award-winning single site and small multi-site operators right up to some of the country’s best-loved national brands. There are numerous reasons why they find us to be the perfect partner in ensuring their sustained success, but don’t just take our word […]
The Future Looks Bright for S4Labour’s New Graduates
Sep 26, 2017
Following the appointment of three new senior employees, S4Labour are delighted to welcome to the company the four members of our graduate programme for 2017. The quartet, who took up their positions at our Oxfordshire head office earlier this month, are Ross Atkinson, Ben Nestel, Jess Stacpoole, and George Tuvey. They were selected from […]
Staffing After Summer – Our Advice
Sep 11, 2017
The kids are back at school, there’s a chill to the air, and while we may still be blessed with the odd fine day, autumn is in the air. For most in hospitality, the end of the summer season brings renewed staffing challenges. With sales likely to drop, tightly controlled labour spend once again […]
We’re at the Bar & Pub Show 2017
Sep 11, 2017
S4Labour are exhibiting at the Bar & Pub Show at Olympia, London, from October 2nd – 4th. The three-day event, part of the wider Hospitality Show 2017, will bring together professionals from all sectors of the industry. We are exhibiting from stand WF51, situated right next to the Bar & Pub Hub at the […]
S4Labour Clients Win at Great British Pub Awards
Sep 8, 2017
The champagne corks were popping as two S4Labour customers saw off stiff competition to take wins at the Great British Pub Awards 2017. City Pub Company’s Temple Brew House, in London, came out on top in the prestigious Beer Pub/Bar of the Year category, while Rumba, in Macclesfield, part of DV8 Bars, was crowned […]
Experienced Trio Joins S4Labour
Sep 5, 2017
We are delighted to announce the appointments of three new senior members of the S4Labour team. This news was also reported in industry-leading publication Propel Info. S4Labour is the fastest-growing labour scheduling solution for the hospitality industry. As more and more first rate operators are realising the value it brings to their business, we are dedicated […]
Guide to Setting Up Users in S4Labour
Sep 4, 2017
As new people join your business, or are promoted internally, there will be a requirement to create new higher level users within S4Labour. This is a simple process that typically takes under 30 seconds and can be carried out by any Level 5 (head office) level S4Labour user following the steps below. Step One […]
Expanding Your Empire – Our Advice
Sep 1, 2017
Are you looking to take on new sites to grow your hospitality business? If the answer’s a resounding “yes!”, you’re in good company – 60% of UK pubs are now managed by multi-site operators, while in recent years the restaurant sector has seen a rise in the number of chain operators coupled with a decrease […]
Six Ways S4Labour Can Save You Time
Aug 15, 2017
S4Labour is the fastest growing labour solution for the hospitality industry. It is intuitive and user-friendly software designed to optimise scheduling of staff, as well as manage HR functions. In addition to significantly reducing operating costs, the system saves its users valuable time, allowing site managers to focus on doing what they do best – […]
S4Labour Case Study – Barons Pub Company – Helping the Best Get Better
Aug 9, 2017
Barons Pub Company is a collection of food-led pubs in the south of England. It was founded by Clive Price in 2000 and has grown healthily since. Averaging a new site acquisition every two years, Barons expanded outside of its Surrey heartland for the first time in early 2017, opening The Black Boy near Reading. […]
Top Tips for Summer Holiday Success
Aug 9, 2017
School’s out for summer, and for our industry that means there are a host of opportunities for operators to maximise sales. Doing this well can provide an even greater boost to turnover at a time of year that typically sees the strongest trading, setting your business up for success into the autumn and beyond. Here […]
What we Learned at the Propel Summer Conference
Jul 12, 2017
Last Thursday, we were lucky enough to sponsor the latest in a long line of excellent Propel events. This year’s summer conference, complete with evening party, as ever saw a programme packed with illuminating speakers from all areas of hospitality. Across those on stage, we saw a common theme – strong, genuine people with a […]
Helping the Best get Better
Jun 30, 2017
Congratulations are in order for no fewer than eight of our valued customers who have had sites nominated for awards in this year’s Great British Pub Awards across five different categories. The awards night is due to take place in London and September, and we will certainly be rooting for plenty of outright category wins, all […]
Ambience and “Site Flow” – the Key to Modern Success?
Jun 9, 2017
Ten years ago next month, the smoking ban came into effect across the UK.Opponents at the time argued that the ban would critically harm the pub sector, viewing drinking and smoking as too closely linked Opponents at the time argued that the ban would critically harm the pub sector, viewing drinking and smoking as too […]
Top Tips for Employee Efficiency
Jun 9, 2017
Last month we brought you our Top Tips for Management Time-Saving. This time round, we turn our attention to those people who compose nine-tenths of our workforce, team members. With over 25,000 now registered on S4Labour, it’s high time they were given some consideration. Here are our top five tips to help employees work more […]
Employee Recognition for a Motivated, Efficient Workforce
May 17, 2017
Our industry truly has people at its heart. Paradoxically, many employees in it feel no love for the work they do. Some studies have found employee turnover in the sector to be as high as 80%, while a 2016 report found that poor staff retention costs UK hospitality businesses £272 million a year. It seems […]
Top Tips for Management Timesaving
May 15, 2017
Time is always precious, but seldom more so than for managers in our industry. Tasked with balancing the business-building side of their role against the less glamorous administrative processes required to promote efficiency, for these people any opportunity to save time is a golden one. Here are our top tips on how to do just […]
Playing Happy Families
Apr 12, 2017
This week, a survey by the Morning Advertiser revealed that a huge 64% of British families visited a pub or restaurant on last month’s Mothers’ Day. A 2015 study by bighospitality.co.uk reported that three-quarters of families are now eating out more regularly than they were five years ago. With figures like this, it’s easy to […]
Top Tips for Summer Efficiency
Apr 12, 2017
With Britain basking in spring sunshine this week, it’s easy to believe summer is just around the corner. Here are our top five tips for how to make summer 2017 efficient and profitable. Restructure the bar The summer season brings a prime opportunity to restructure your product offer behind the bar to optimise efficiency. We […]
Get Ready for Summer
Mar 15, 2017
It’s a stretch to say that summer is just around the corner, but the days are getting longer, the weather’s getting warmer, and spring’s first daffodils are here. In the hospitality industry, however, there is rarely time to stop and smell the flowers. Smart operators are already turning their attention to the challenges and opportunities […]
Top Tips for Event Planning
Mar 15, 2017
Mothers’ Day is almost upon us, and will be swiftly followed by Easter, May’s bank holidays, and the busy summer season. Making the most of these opportunities on an annual basis can be essential to the success of many hospitality businesses. Here are our top tips on how to do just that. Scope out the […]
Guide to User Access Levels
Mar 1, 2017
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Our Research Featured in Industry-Leading Publications
Feb 28, 2017
As the labour management solution of choice for many first rate operators, we are superbly positioned to provide unique insight into the challenges faced by the industry. Our research into the impact of living and minimum wage increases was recently featured in both Propel and The Morning Advertiser.
Top Tips for Reporting
Feb 15, 2017
Reporting is an important aspect of modern hospitality management, with operators benefiting from a wealth of illuminating information. Here are our top tips on how you can make reporting work for your business. Daily Reporting To stay on top of their business performance, it is important for site managers to have quick, easy access to key […]
Preparing for Valentine’s & Mothers’ Days
Feb 1, 2017
With January behind us, the hospitality industry is looking forward to brighter times ahead. This time of year brings several events that for most pubs and restaurants ensure some of the busiest days of the year. First among them comes Valentine’s Day, a time for amorous pampering that tends to spread into a week-long festival […]
Improve your Management Processes
Jan 27, 2017
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cattonhospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/january-top-tips-1.pdf” title=”january top tips”] Featured image by Peoplecreations – Freepik.com
Our Guide to Perfect Staff Levels
Jan 9, 2017
In any hospitality business, having the right number of people working, both on any given shift, and in terms of total team size, is important to ensuring great service levels, constant brisk trade, and more money in the till. We’ve all been to pubs and restaurants where there simply aren’t enough people working. The staff […]
Turning Christmas Visitors into Year-Round Regulars
Dec 1, 2016
Customers are at the very heart of every successful hospitality business. We often see pubs, bars, and restaurants referring to their “valued” customers, and many a manager has opined that “customers pay the bills.” But how often do we think about how much a customer is truly worth us in financial terms? In an industry […]
Help Us to Help You
Nov 30, 2016
Our dedicated support team members are labour management experts and committed to assisting your business. Please help them help you use S4 by including as much detail as possible when raising support tickets, either through the “Support” widget on S4 or by sending an email to s4labour@cattonhospitality.com. To support you most efficiently, we need to […]