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.”
