Premium Venues Outperforming Value and Mainstream Venues

UK Hospitality sales grew 2.5% year on year over the 12 weeks ending 31 December 2024, with growth improving to +3.9% in the latest 4 weeks which includes the key Christmas trading period. Independents & Smaller Players continue to be the best performing sector of the market, followed by Coffee & Sandwich Shops and Delivery. All sectors saw improved performance in the latest 4 weeks, with the notable exception of Casual Dining; whilst Pubs & Bars took a bigger share of the market in the latest 4 weeks thanks to the additional social occasions which encourage visits to Pubs & Bars over the Christmas period.

Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, said: “Consumers showed a desire to trade up and treat themselves at Christmas, with analysis of like-for-like sales performance based on HDI’s outlet quality classifications showing that premium venues outperformed value and mainstream venues. Hospitality sales in London showed a marked improvement when looking at regional performance changes, with Zone 1 being particularly strong. Looking at individual site level performance, a number of operators have had a particularly strong Christmas period, breaking long-standing sales records, which is brilliant to see.”