Luminar sales slip in volatile late market

Luminar, operator of the Chicago Rock Café chain, said that its sales in June were down due to the "volatile" late-night market. Like-for-like sales for the month were 4% lower than those a year earlier, although the dip was partly offset by an improvement in margins.

Chairman Keith Hamill, speaking at the company's annual general meeting, held earlier this month, said that he expected sales to recover during July and August.

Last week Luminar proposed that a minimum price level for alcoholic drinks could be introduced as part of the new licensing laws in a bid to combat binge drinking (Caterer, 8 July, page 10).

In a move similar to JD Wetherspoon's in March, Luminar has reduced the cost of soft drinks and increased the price of some spirits in an attempt to encourage responsible drinking.