August sales up 3.2% led by London

August sales up 3.2% led by London

This month, overall sales were up 3.2% compared to last year, led by a strong August for London, according to the latest S4labour sales data. 

The Capital saw a solid increase of 9.9% across the board, with food and drink sales up 12% and 8.7% respectively.   

Non-London saw a 4.7% increase in food, but drink sales dropped by 0.7% compared to last year.  

Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, Richard Hartley, said: “Despite a wet August, it is promising to see growth on last year and healthier numbers compared to last month, which saw only a slight increase of 1.4% in like-for-like sales. Outside of London, and particularly in more rural areas, it is likely that less people were going out to drink in pubs this month because of the bad weather. Nevertheless, the increase in food sales across the UK will go some way to offsetting inflation.”  

Women’s World Cup Final Boosts Pub Sales

Women’s World Cup Final Boosts Pub Sales

Although the Lionesses didn’t bring it home, they certainly brought in some sales, with figures telling a story of celebration.  

Despite the early start, last Sunday saw the Women’s World Cup final drive a 10% increase in drink sales when compared to same day the previous week, according to the latest sales data from S4labour.  

It is estimated around 2.6 million Brits headed to the pub to watch the game, splashing out on beverages to celebrate England being in a World Cup final for the first time since 1966.  

It’s brilliant to see that the Women’s team won hearts on the field, with a positive ripple effect on local businesses. Here’s to the unstoppable spirit of football and the communities that come together to celebrate it! 

London year-on-year sales ahead in July, non-London sees a decline

London year-on-year sales ahead in July, non-London sees a decline

In July, hospitality sales saw an overall year-on-year increase of 1.4%, the latest S4labour data reports.

Food sales were responsible for this slight growth, with an increase of 5.8%, whereas drink sales were down 2.0% compared to last year. 

London fared much better than the rest of the country, seeing sales 2.9% ahead of 2022, whilst non-London experienced a decline of 4.3%. 

Richard Hartley, Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, commented: “July has been a much slower month than we would have liked, as sales have likely suffered due to bad weather, with less people going out for drinks throughout the month. Though these numbers indicate growth, they still lag behind inflation levels. However, as we move into August, we are hopeful that the summer holidays, as well as the bank holiday, will help towards offsetting this.” 

June sales see a 7.8% increase led by London

June sales see a 7.8% increase led by London

Sales figures

In June hospitality sales saw the highest year-on-year increase so far in 2023 with a 7.8% uplift, according to the latest S4labour data.  

This spike is largely due to London sales, which were 15.7% ahead of 2022 levels, whilst non-London saw an uplift of 6.0%.  

Food and drink were split fairly evenly outside of London, with 6.2% and 5.9% year-on-year growth respectively. The capital was driven by a 16.2% increase in drink sales, with food sales growth sitting just below that at 14.9%.  This comes after temperatures were consistently high throughout June, reaching 32 degrees in some parts of England. It’s likely many spent a great deal of time outdoors, enjoying food and drinks in pubs and restaurants.  

Chief Growth Officer at S4labour, Richard Hartley, commented: “In line with rising temperatures, this is what we would expect to see as this June was the hottest to date. This quarter has seen solid growth on 2022 sales, with April at 3.3% and May at 2.7%. As we move into the second half of the year, good weather and holidays should continue to work towards offsetting inflation and rising interest rates.” 

Ben Hood joins S4labour as non-executive director

Ben Hood joins S4labour as non-executive director

Ben Hood, co-founder and former chief executive of Fourth, has joined the board of S4labour as non-executive director. Hood joins S4labour after 20 years at Fourth, with immediate effect. His appointment is part of the next stage of S4labour’s journey to support the hospitality sector.

Alastair Scott, chief executive of S4labour, said: “I feel privileged to have someone like Ben join our team. He will be a great help to us as we continue to create unique and mission-critical tools for the industry. S4labour is a very different and exciting proposition for him and together we will be able to make the best decisions we can to support this wonderful sector.” Hood added: “Alastair and the wider S4labour team really understand the sector and care a great deal about the operators. The level of innovation and ambition is really exciting, and I love how they are going about improving productivity across the sector. They believe in partnerships and service and have some fabulous success stories in such complex times. I am pleased to help them with the next chapter.” 

Ben Hood, co-founder and former chief executive of Fourth, has joined the board of S4labour as non-executive director. Hood joins S4labour after 20 years at Fourth, with immediate effect. His appointment is part of the next stage of S4labour’s journey to support the hospitality sector.

Alastair Scott, chief executive of S4labour, said: I feel privileged to have someone like Ben join our team. He will be a great help to us as we continue to create unique and mission-critical tools for the industry. S4labour is a very different and exciting proposition for him and together we will be able to make the best decisions we can to support this wonderful sector.” Hood added: “Alastair and the wider S4labour team really understand the sector and care a great deal about the operators. The level of innovation and ambition is really exciting, and I love how they are going about improving productivity across the sector. They believe in partnerships and service and have some fabulous success stories in such complex times. I am pleased to help them with the next chapter.” 

Propel Women’s Conference: 5 Key Takeaways 

Propel Women’s Conference: 5 Key Takeaways 

Recently, S4labour had the honour of participating in the Propel Women’s Conference which celebrated women’s resilience, strength, and limitless potential within each of them. This was an inspiring event that beautifully weaved together stories of triumph and failure, candid panel discussions, and incredible networking opportunities.  

Reflecting on the rich insights gained at the conference, certain themes kept coming up repeatedly. 

Here are five takeaways from the event: 

Leadership is a privilege

The best leaders don’t just manage people, they give them a sense of purpose. A leadership role doesn’t inherently make one a leader. The true measure of leadership is the ability to inspire others to achieve things they thought impossible. Authenticity, vulnerability and the will to make a difference are the essence of leadership. 

People and culture first

A thriving business is rooted in its culture, where people form the heart and soul of the organisation. People are the biggest value that businesses have. It costs next to nothing to retain people, but thousands to hire and retrain. And it’s a culture grounded in honesty and clear communication that effectively unlocks the potential of the workforce. 

Lowering the ladder

Helping others seize opportunities is crucial for a thriving team environment. The utopia exists when every member feels motivated and empowered. Remember, there are no ‘bad’ employees – only those who may either be misplaced in their roles or lack motivation. 

Change is normal

In the aftermath of Covid, organisations faced significant challenges and had to adapt rapidly. The industry continues to face uncertainties, and change is an inevitable constant. The ability of a leader to guide their team through these waves of transformation is invaluable. 

Prioritising EDI

EDI should be a bigger part of business strategy and not just a tick-box exercise. Leaders need to ensure they’re fostering a culture of inclusivity. 

After the Propel Women’s Conference, there’s an undeniable sense of inspiration. Let’s carry forward the momentum and continue to support and empower each other. If the idea of fostering a culture that puts people first resonates with you, discover how S4labour can help enhance team engagement, improve retention rates, and empower people to be their best.

Book a demo now to find out more!