Hospitality Indoor Reopening Sales Figures – Day 1

by | May 20, 2021 | Blogs, Sales Figures

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 sales from Monday, comparing them with the same Monday in 2019, representing a normal Monday’s trade levels. The decline in sales was driven by a 24% collapse in drink sales, where restrictions continue to prohibit vertical drinking. Food sales were up 5% compared to the same Monday in 2019, indicating the majority of pent-up demand has dissipated, with outside service being re-introduced in April.

With the restrictions now allowing inside service to resume, the number of sites open jumped to 95%, up from 50% of sites open the week before. The high proportion of the industry now open means that like-for-like sales figures are particularly relevant, the sales data is no longer representative of the small portion of the sector that was able to feasibly open in the previous restricted conditions. Such weak sales performance demonstrates just how difficult it will be for hospitality to be profitable until all restrictions are lifted. This gives additional significance, as it shows the sustained damage the industry would suffer, should further restrictions not be relaxed on the 21st of June.

S4labour’s Chief Product Officer, Richard Hartley, commented “The restrictions that were lifted this week disproportionately disadvantaged wet-led sites, as vertical drinking remains prohibited, while restaurants are able to deliver a service that is a bit closer to ‘normal’. It is worrying, but not a surprise, to see drink sales so weak, but it is disappointing that, given the bounce of previous reopening, food sales were only a few percent up on a normal Monday in 2019. It is clear that the easing of restrictions are a baby step forward, but we are still a long way from being able to trade anything like profitably.

Other Articles You May Like...
Grosvenor Pubs & Inns – Case Study

Grosvenor Pubs & Inns – Case Study

Case Study - Operational Excellence Grosvenor Pubs & Inns Grosvenor Pubs Overview In 2024, we partnered with Grosvenor Pubs and Inns, rolling out the S4labour system and Operational Excellence Programme across the business. We spoke to Sam King, Business Director...

read more
Hospitality Sales in Decline in March, Wet Led Sites Slump 

Hospitality Sales in Decline in March, Wet Led Sites Slump 

Data from S4labour has revealed that March saw an overall decrease in sales of 0.7% when compared to the same month last year.  Sales show contrasting trends, with dry-led sites up by 2.1% and wet-led sites down 6.1% year-on-year.   The report also highlighted London...

read more