15/03/2022
Total sales of 9 litre cases of vodka were down 29.9% in January 2022 when compared with two years ago, data from CGA has revealed. Sales of 9 litre cases fell from 1,759,151m two years ago compared to 1,232,788m this year with vodka falling in value from £1,880.5m in 2020 to £1,366.2m (27.3%) in January 2022, report Morning Advertiser. However, in the three months in January 2022, total sales of vodka were up 19.2%, increasing from £457.6m to £545.6m with sales of 9 litres cases up 14.7% in the same quarter, likely due to the 2020 lockdowns.
Greene King Pub Partners has launched a new interactive toolkit to help its licensees grow their businesses. The digital interactive toolkit, named Pub Power, has been designed to give Greene King Pub Partners licensees a range of support materials and guidelines, as well as business-generating ideas that can help drive footfall and spend per head in pubs, advises Pub & Bar.
The majority of adults believe the government should maintain VAT at its current rate of 12.5% beyond April, according to two separate surveys. A survey by trade body UKHospitality has found 79% of adults believe the rate of VAT should remain at 12.5%, while 72% believe the government should aid the sector's post-pandemic recovery, reports Big Hospitality.
Multiple operator Red Oak Taverns has made its first pub acquisition of this year with the purchase of the Vine in Worthing, West Sussex. The company, which now operates more than 200 sites, was founded in 2011 by Mark Grunnell and Aaron Brown, which privately own the business alongside a small number of like-minded investors, advises Morning Advertiser.
A joint survey by Fourth and the Sustainable Restaurant Association has revealed that only one fifth of sector businesses are currently tracking whether their food waste comes from preparation, spoilage or plate waste. The survey looked to assess how the industry is coping with the food waste challenge - which costs the sector £3.2bn per year. CLH News says that the stats are alarming, given that the recently passed Environment Act, set to come into force in 2023, stipulates that all food waste must be segregated from general waste and collected separately.
Bakery chain Greggs has warned that its prices could go up for a second time this year as it faces surging costs, reports the BBC. Higher prices for food, energy and staff, plus tax changes mean the company's own costs will rise by between 6% and 7%. Greggs said the cost of raw materials had gone up while energy prices are also soaring. While it has locked in prices for some commodities ahead of time, the company said future costs remain "uncertain".
Burger King has announced its first ever 100% meat-free menu at their newly redesigned Leicester Square flagship restaurant between 14th March and 10th April. The meat-free offering is part of Burger King UK's broader commitment to offer a 50% meat-free menu by 2030, advises Hospitality & Catering News.