Pub giants Marston’s and Fuller’s sold millions of pints of beer as the World Cup helped boost summer sales, with Wolverhampton-based Marston’s serving two million pints across England’s World Cup fixtures alone.
Strong Sales Driven by Football and Weather
Both companies said the flurry of football matches helped drive more customers into venues, alongside warm summer weather. Marston’s reported that like-for-like sales were 22 per cent higher on England’s matchdays, with sales at its Grandstand sport-focused venues surging by around 170 per cent year-on-year.
Justin Platt, chief executive of Marston’s, said: “Our pubs have delivered a strong start to the summer, with an excellent World Cup once again underlining the enduring role of the community pub as the place the nation comes together to cheer the moments that matter. Our new Grandstand pubs have been leading the way and continue to perform ahead of expectations.”
Overall Sales Slightly Down Despite Boost
The company reported that like-for-like sales for the 42 weeks to July 18 were nonetheless down 1.6 per cent against the same period last year. It said “softer” market conditions outside of peak periods offset “strong growth” from busier times. Marston’s also told shareholders on Tuesday that it expects to meet its core profit margin target ahead of schedule.
Fuller’s Also Benefits from World Cup
Meanwhile, rival pub owner Fuller’s also hailed a strong recent performance, boosted by the World Cup. Executive chairman Simon Emeny said: “We have continued to trade well since the start of the new financial year – making the most of opportunities that have arisen from the combination of good weather, the World Cup and our extensive programme of summer activity in our well-invested gardens.” The group, which is also holding an annual general meeting on Tuesday, revealed that like-for-like sales grew over the past 16 weeks.
