Pre-Close Trading Update
YTD like-for-like sales up 4.2%, outperforming market with 201 conversions completed.
vs expectations: in line
- YTD like-for-like sales growth 4.2%
- YTD Food like-for-like sales 4.1%
- YTD Drink like-for-like sales 4.0%
- Total sales growth YTD 3.9%
- Conversions and remodels completed YTD 201
- Anticipated cost inflation next year c.£130m
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Trading statement covering the 51 weeks ended 20 September 2025.
Sales
We have maintained our out-performance against the marketa which has seen robust performances in mid-market pub and pub restaurants balanced against slightly weaker sales in London within the M25 and in more premium businesses.
Like-for-like sales:
| Weeks 1-15 Q1 | Weeks 16-28 Q2 | Weeks 29-42 Q3 | Weeks 43-51 Q4 | Weeks 1-51 YTD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food | 4.0% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 4.1% |
| Drink | 3.6% | 5.1% | 4.8% | 1.9% | 4.0% |
| Total | 3.9% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 3.1% | 4.2% |
Total sales in the year to date have increased by 3.9%.
Investments
We have increased the scale and pace of our capital programme, with 201 conversions and remodels completed in the year to date (FY2024 185). We have also opened two new sites (an Alex in Germany and a Browns in London), in addition to the purchase of two freehold interests in existing sites. We continue to rollout a number of initiatives to reduce energy usage, such as solar panels and sensors.
Outlook
We remain confident of a full year outturn in line with consensus expectations, reflecting a year of strong sales outperformance. Looking forward to next year, we continue to anticipate a higher level of overall cost inflation of around £130m (c.6% of our cost base) as previously outlined, but we face this challenge with confidence as our brands are well positioned to continue to outperform the sector and our Ignite programme continues to deliver cost efficiencies.
Phil Urban, Chief Executive, commented:
"We are pleased with our performance over the year, in which we remained consistently ahead of the marketa, across all market segments. Sales growth has been broad based, with strong like-for-like performances in both food and drink across our portfolio of brands, supported by cost efficiencies and a capital programme which continues to deliver strong returns."
Definitions
a - As measured by the CGA Business Tracker.
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.