Marston’s cheered as festive revellers contribute to record sales
WOLVERHAMPTON brewer and pubco Marston’s has announced record sales over the Christmas period for the fourth year in succession.
Its pubs also exceeded sales of £3m on Christmas Day for the first time.
The figures were revealed in a trading update ahead for the group’s annual general meeting.
It said trading for the financial year to date had been encouraging, buoyed by the strong festive period.
Its Destination and Premium division saw like-for-like sales 3% ahead of last year including like-for-like food sales growth of 2.5% and wet (drinks) like-for-like sales growth of 3.4%.
In the key two week Christmas trading period to January 2, trading was said to have been good with like-for-like growth of 4.9% despite tough comparatives. Operating margins are ahead of last year.
The group said it also remained on track to open at least 20 new pub-restaurants and five lodges in the current financial year, with seven pub and three lodge openings expected in the first half.
In its Taverns division, managed and franchise pub like-for-like sales were 2.7% ahead of last year, with 5% growth over the Christmas fortnight.
It said the evolution of the franchise model continued to be a key driver of growth, and has been extended into higher turnover pubs, with the highest turnover franchise pub achieving £30k per week over the holiday period.
In its Leased operation, profits are estimated to be around 3% ahead of last year.
For Brewing, it said its strong brand portfolio had performed well with own-brewed volume up 21% in the year to date, underpinned by a very strong performance in the off-trade.
Ralph Findlay, Marston’s chief executive, said: “Once again we traded well over the Christmas period with record sales over the key Christmas fortnight for the fourth year in succession, maintaining our record of market out-performance, including pub retail sales of over £3m on Christmas Day for the first time.
“This performance demonstrates the appeal of our pubs and the value for money we offer, underpinned by excellent service. In Brewing, our principal brands and new beers contributed to an excellent first quarter.”
The group will announce its interim results for the 26 weeks to April 2, 2016 on May 18, 2016.
