To mark the 17th National BBQ Week, new research from food & drink consultancy, CGA Strategy highlights the importance of BBQ style food to UK pubs.
6% more sales per week
In total, revenue from BBQ (Burgers, Steaks and Ribs) leaps 30% in spring/summer compared to autumn/winter. This equates to at least 6% more sales per week in summer versus the rest of the year, based on CGA’s performance tracker Trading Index.
Greater uplift for rural and suburban
Rural & suburban areas see a greater uplift for BBQ style items than their high street counterparts. In fact, sales of burgers and steaks are higher in the autumn/winter on the high street, than they are in the summer.
This increase in sales in rural & suburban areas highlights consumers’ greater willingness to visit somewhere different in the summer months. It shows that consumers are happy to extend travel times to seek out venues potentially better prepared for this style of food. Notably, rural & suburban outlets are more likely to have bigger beer gardens, making them more natural destinations for al fresco food.
This outdoor eating occasion fits perfectly with current Cider trends which show that Packaged brands also see greater uplifts in suburban (+59%) and rural (68%) outlets than they do on the High Street (+39%) when comparing summer & winter trends.
Opportunities to exploit outdoor space
CGA’s Tom Lynch says, “Events like BBQ week can provide retailers with valuable calls to action for their customers but ultimately, we know that weather is often the defining factor dictating footfall. Summer typically sees consumers expand their repertoire with a broader range of pub visits; creating genuine opportunities for outlets to exploit any outdoor space. Al fresco dining is a real feel good summer pastime, providing a genuine competitive advantage for outlets who successfully utilize their garden or terrace. BBQs, garden games and festivals can ensure that our often scarce sunshine converts directly into pounds and pence”
The report findings are based on a combination of data sources, including daily sales data for over 5,000 managed pubs.
CGA Strategy is the leading on trade consultancy with over twenty years’ experience of blending best in class quantitative analytics with exceptional market understanding, to create truly actionable insight.