Marston's drinks to sales growth
Food sales are up 5 per cent at Wolverhampton pubco Marston's, the company said this morning. Over the past 42 weeks, like-for-like sales grew 2.9 per cent in a period which the business described as "encouraging and robust".
In Marston's Inns and Taverns, the company's managed pubs division, like-for-like food sales grew 5 per cent while like-for-like drink sales were up 1.8 per cent.
Marston's revealed its results through a trading update for the 42 weeks to 23 July.
Underlying profit trends also improved in the company's pub division. Like-for-like profits will be 0.5 per cent ahead of last year, Marston's estimated.
In Marston's Beer Company, own-brewed beer volumes rose about 2 per cent compared with last year's results, while premium cask ale sales were up 4 per cent.
Over the 42 weeks, Marston's said it completed the fit-out of ten new pub-restaurants with work having begun on site on the remainder of its 2011 build programme.
Ralph Findlay, chief executive, said: "We are encouraged by the resilience of our business in the year to date. Our focus on offering value for money with high service standards in a quality pub environment is generating strong consumer appeal and maximising returns on our investment programmes."
