Fri 24th Oct 2025 - Flat September for hospitality sales but pubs continue outperformance as crucial final quarter starts Flat September for hospitality sales but pubs continue outperformance as crucial final quarter starts: Britain’s top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups delivered like-for-like sales growth of 0.2% in September, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. It is a second period of fractional growth in a row after a 0.5% increase in August, and only the fourth positive month since the start of 2025. But while the figures suggest many consumers remain cautious with their spending ahead of the run-up to Christmas and new year, there are grounds for cautious optimism as the festive season nears. Total sales, including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months, were up by 3.4%, which is only marginally below the UK’s current rate of inflation. Meanwhile, the Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ indicates stability in Britain’s number of licensed premises after a sustained run of post-covid closures. The latest Hospitality Business Tracker, produced by CGA by NIQ in association with RSM, also highlights positive trends in Britain’s managed pub sector. Like-for-like pub sales in September were 1.9% ahead of the same month in 2024, while restaurants were down 0.7%. It means pubs have outperformed the sector as a whole in every month of 2025 so far – partly because some consumers are opting for drinks out rather than meals. Pubs’ beer and cider sales were also boosted by dry and bright weather in many parts of the country in September, as well as the start of university terms. In other tracker segments, bars’ sales were down by 6.8% from September 2024, while the on-the-go segment was 3.7% behind. For only the third month this year, hospitality operators achieved stronger growth in London than elsewhere in the country. Like-for-like sales within the M25 were 0.7% ahead year-on-year, compared with 0.1% outside of the M25. This modest revival may reflect the steady return of office workers to the capital after a sustained period of working from home during the covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Since the end of September, trading in many parts of the country has been weakened by Storm Amy. Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “September’s sales were nothing to write home about, but they do at least represent stability after a turbulent year for hospitality. 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.”