Another Positive Week for Hospitality As Like-for-Likes Are Up for a Fifth Consecutive Week

Another Positive Week for Hospitality As Like-for-Likes Are Up for a Fifth Consecutive Week

by | 29 Sep, 2021 | Blog, Hospitality, Press & News, Sales Figures

S4labour’s weekly sales figures analysis has identified that like-for-likes are up for the fifth week in a row by 11.5%; when compared to the same week in 2019. 

The like-for-like growth is mainly due to non-London sites experiencing a 15.5% increase in like-for-like sales last week. London sites, however, saw their like-for-likes fall 3.5%. 

In light of this sustained growth, Richard Hartley — S4labour’s Chief Innovation Officer — commented: “Yet again, the fact hospitality like-for-likes are up as we reach the end of September is reassuring. However, the recent petrol supply & demand issue affecting HGV drivers may impact the hospitality sector.”

Positive Hospitality Like-for-Likes for the Fourth Consecutive Week

Positive Hospitality Like-for-Likes for the Fourth Consecutive Week

by | 21 Sep, 2021 | Blog, Hospitality, Press & News, Sales Figures

Figures from S4labour show hospitality sales are up for the fourth week in a row; when compared to the same week in 2019 by 4.5%.

Like-for-like growth was driven by food sales increasing by 12%. Drink like-for-likes, however, are down by 1.5% — a pattern we have been used to seeing since reopening.

The Chief Innovation Officer at S4labour, Richard Hartley, commented: “Similarly to last week, it is again reassuring to see that like-for-likes are up. We’ve been seeing more sustained like-for-like growth in recent weeks, and hopefully this continues beyond the VAT increase and current supply issues.”

CJRS – News Flash

CJRS – News Flash

by | 20 Sep, 2021 | Blog, Hospitality, Press & News, Thought Leadership

Are you prepared for the end of the CJRS?

As the CJRS closes on 30‌‌ ‌September, you will be thinking about the next steps for your employees and your business.

In order to help you prepare we thought we would share HMRC’s FAQ publication with some useful advice and guidance.

If you have any questions or require further support, contact one of our Payroll team who will be happy to support you.

What should you do when the scheme closes?

You will need to:

  • Bring your employees back to work on your agreed terms and conditions
  • Agree on any changes to your terms and conditions with them
  • Consider ending their employment.

When making decisions about how and when to end furlough arrangements, equality and discrimination laws will apply in the usual way. For more information search ‘Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

Can you claim CJRS for employees on notice periods?

Employers cannot claim CJRS grants for any days an employee is serving a contractual or statutory notice period, including notice of retirement, resignation or redundancy.

What support is available for my employees if I’m unable to bring them back to work?

There’s UK Government support available for your employees through the JobHelp website, offering a range of support, training and advice, to help people find their next opportunity. This includes the Kickstart scheme and other Plan for Jobs support measures, along with advice on learning new skills and finding who’s recruiting. Search GOV‌.UK for ‘Plan for Jobs programmes’ for more information.

What support is available to help my business grow after the CJRS has closed?

If you are looking to grow your business, the UK Government Help to Grow scheme offers management and digital programmes, to help you learn new skills and reach more customers. To register your interest, search GOV‌‌.UK for ‘Help to Grow’.

If employers are considering taking on new employees, there’s a range of UK Government support available to help them, including placements, apprenticeships and training opportunities. Search ‘Plan for Jobs programmes for employers’ on GOV‌‌.UK to find out how your client’s business could benefit.

What if I claimed too much in error?

If you have claimed too much CJRS grant and you have not already repaid the overclaimed amount, you can repay as part of your next online claim. If you claimed too much but do not plan to submit further claims, you can make a repayment online through HMRCs card payment service.

You must tell HMRC and repay the money by the latest of whichever date below applies:

  • 90 days from receiving the CJRS money you are not entitled to
  • 90 days from the point circumstances changed so that you are no longer entitled to keep the CJRS grant.

If you don’t do this, you may have to pay interest and a penalty as well as repaying the excess CJRS grant.

What if I haven’t claimed enough?

If you made a mistake in your claim that means you received too little money, you’ll need to amend your claim within 28‌‌ ‌calendar days after the month the claim relates to – unless this falls on a weekend or bank holiday, where the deadline is the next weekday.

 

 

Final Week of August Sees Like-for-Likes Rise by 5%

Final Week of August Sees Like-for-Likes Rise by 5%

by | 31 Aug, 2021 | Hospitality

Following a recent decline in like-for-likes, August’s concluding week saw sales increase by 5% when compared to the same week in 2019. 

This 5% increase was mainly a result of food like-for-likes rising by 12% — a similar trend in regards to recent like-for-likes. Drink like-for-likes, on the other hand, dropped by 1% in comparison to the same week in 2019. 

Week-on-week sales were up by 6.5%, with London’s sales increasing by 4% based on the previous week — a rise that has been a rarity in recent weeks. As for non-London, week-on-weeks were up 7%.

S4labour’s Chief Innovation Officer, Richard Hartley, commented: “the final week of August caps off a month that’s appeared to be mostly quite difficult for London’s week-on-weeks. This last week, however, spells some positivity for the Capital. The longer weekend may have resulted in London sites experiencing higher sales compared to usual.”