Like-for-like trading was just 0.3% up on the same period in 2024, following increases of 0.1% in October and 0.2% in September. Growth has now been below 1% or negative since April.
Growth is being driven by higher menu prices and new openings by some of the sector’s better-performing operators. On a total sales basis—including venues opened by groups in the last 12 months—sales were 3.1% ahead of November 2024.
The pub sector performed better according to the tracker, with sales in November up 2.5% year-on-year, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth. However, most increases have still been below the rate of inflation.
By contrast, sales at restaurants were 2.1% down on November 2024, meaning that trading has been negative for 10 of the past 11 months. Restaurants have been outperformed by pubs in every month of 2025 so far.
“Soft trading and high costs have been a potent combination for hospitality operators, and November’s figures extend a very difficult 2025,” says Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ.
“Reasonable growth for pubs suggests consumers remain willing to go out to drink, while a steady stream of new openings shows some operators and investors are on the front foot.
“But another negative month for restaurants and bars is cause for major concern, especially in light of yet more additions to their burdens of costs in the Budget. The sector will now be pinning hopes on a surge in Christmas sales to boost depleted coffers ahead of 2026.”
Long-term confidence about sales and openings in the sector is weak, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from NIQ and Sona. It found that just 26% of leaders feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months.