Mitchells & Butlers sales experience slight boost despite food sales drop
Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK's largest restaurant, pub and bar operators, has reported a slight increase in overall sales despite a drop in recent food sales.
The group claimed the World Cup and sunny weather allowed drinks income to balance out "challenging" conditions in the food-led market.
Overall food sales rose incrementally by 0.3% after dropping by 1.8% over the previous 11 weeks.
In their Q3 statement, the group said "very strong performances in our wet-led estate were offset against more challenging conditions in food-led businesses, reflecting the impact of the World Cup and sustained sunny weather."
It added: "The overall performance therefore reflects the relative positioning of our estate across these two main offers."
Chief executive Phil Urban said: "Sales performance since the half-year was impacted by England's prolonged success in the World Cup and the sustained hot weather.
"Trading was polarised across the company, with the wet-led part of the business delivering very strong growth, but some of the more food-led formats, particularly the carvery businesses, were negatively impacted.
"However, we have been encouraged to see sales recover now that the World Cup has finished and as we continue on our longer-term journey.
"We remain confident of delivering a full-year performance in line with the board's expectations.
"The second wave of transformation activity is beginning to bear fruit and momentum behind this programme of work continues to grow."
