News for the Licensed Sector - Spring

UK Retail Sales Recovery

Retail sales grew at an annual rate of 2.2% on a LfL basis in February and March after a 0.7% decline in January. The UK recession has ended, according to many newest economical studies.

Around 60 per cent of customers now pay with plastic for pints

Cash now accounts for just 40 per cent of payments in pubs - down from 90 per cent a decade ago - according to new research. The Payments Council found that customers are increasingly paying with plastic, especially in pubs. And the trend is set to continue as the research.
The Way We Pay 2010' predicted cash payments will fall to only 25 per cent of customer purchases by 2018. The pub industry is running well ahead of the trend seen in the overall market as the Payments Council predicted that a much higher 45 per cent of total UK transactions will still involve cash in 2018.
 
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Alcohol duty to rise by 2% ahead of inflation

The duty on most alcoholic drinks is to rise by 2% ahead of inflation from Sunday (hence 5%) whilst the duty on Cider will rise by 10% above inflation (13%). Beer at the pumps could rise by around 8p and rather unhelpfully, the Chancellor has said that the alcohol duty accelerator (inflation plus 2%), would continue until 2015, some two years longer than previously anticipated.

Soft drink sales in the on-trade surpass those of spirits

The Britvic Soft Drinks Report has quoted figures from Nielsen confiming that the sales value of soft-drinks in the UK's pubs, clubs and restaurants, had exceeded sales of spirits for the first time in 2009. Soft drink sales increased by 3% in 2009 whilst the value of spirits sold fell by 5%.

Smoking back in the frame - Is it worth fuming about?

The Royal College of Physicians has called for smoking in private cars and outdoor spaces where children may gather to be banned.

Magners to absorb the 13% increase in cider duty

Cider manufacturer Magners has said that it will hold its wholesale prices and thus absorb the 13% increase in cider duty announced in the Budget. A petition calling for a reduction in the duty on certain ciders and real ales has been launched on the 10 Downing Street website.

Budweiser to offer 4% beer

AB InBev is to follow the successes registered by Becks Vier and Stella Artois' 4% beer by offering a variety of Budweiser at 4% ABV. The drink will be targeted at young adults.

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