Sales rose by 0.2% in September, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, marking the second period of fractional growth in a row, after a 0.5% increase in August.
It is only the fourth positive month since the start of 2025, according to the tracker.
The figures reveal many consumers remain cautious with their spending ahead of the run-up to Christmas and New Year. However, total sales, including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months, were up by 3.4%, only marginally below the UK’s current rate of inflation.
Like-for-like pub sales in September were 1.9% ahead of the same month in 2024, while restaurants were down by 0.7%, according to the tracker, meaning that pubs have outperformed the hospitality sector as a whole in every month of the year so far. This is partly because some consumers are opting for drinks out rather than meals and because beer and cider sales were boosted by dry and bright weather in many parts of the country in September, according to CGA by NIQ.
The statistics also show that London outperformed the rest of Britain in September, with like-for-like sales within the M25 0.7% ahead year-on-year, compared to 0.1% outside of the M25.
“September’s sales were nothing to write home about, but they do at least represent stability after a turbulent year for hospitality,” says Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ.
“Conditions are currently significantly better for pub groups, which can look ahead to Christmas and New Year trading with some confidence, but restaurant and bar trends give more cause for concern.
“Whatever their sector, business leaders and investors will be able to look forward with much more confidence if they get the targeted and sustained support they deserve in the November Budget.”
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, adds: “September’s results tell a very similar story to August, with reasonable headline revenue growth for the sector but flat like-for-likes. Recent trends in the hospitality industry are becoming increasingly baked in, with pubs benefiting from consumers trading down amid weak confidence, while independent and casual dining brands suffer as a consequence.”