The latest sales figures from S4labour reveal a mixed picture for UK hospitality in September 2025, with overall sales down just 0.1% year-on-year. London continues to lead the way, with a 7.9% increase in like-for-like sales compared to the same month last year. In contrast, non-London regions saw a decline of 2.7%.
Food-led venues in London saw an increase of 4.8% compared to a 4% decline outside the capital. Wet-led venues in London saw a strong uplift, with sales rising 11.9% year-on-year. In contrast, non-London wet-led sites experienced only marginal growth, up just 0.5%.
Richard Hartley, Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, commented: “Since April, the industry has largely managed to absorb rising operating costs, buoyed by strong sales during a warm and sunny summer. However, September’s dull and rainy conditions marked a turning point, with many operators experiencing pressure on both top-line revenue and bottom-line profitability.”
