Headlines
Dear customer…
Welcome to the spring / summer edition of Headlines with fantastic deals on soft drinks, spirits, ciders, bottled beers and cask ales, plus some handy category advice to boost trade in May and June. With longer days and the welcome arrival of two great Bank Holiday weekends in May, many will be looking forward to spending some time outdoors after the long winter. Ensure your outside area is ready for welcoming your customers and make it the go to place this summer.
As the football season reaches its climax, it’s the right time to get geared up for the goal of bigger profits! May is packed full of huge end of season clashes - many of them finals - and they always deliver in terms of tension, passion and unpredictability! Get off to a flier in early May and the customers will keep coming back for more.
There’s also the Epsom Derby on the 7th June and Royal Ascot from the 17th - 21st June and of course Father’s Day on the 15th June, now one of the
biggest dates in the pub calendar.
As customers continue to move towards premium and super premium drinks World Cider Day on the 3rd June and World Gin Day on the 14th June are perfect times to promote your ranges and set up your venues for summer sales.
Fingers crossed for sunshine and an early summer boost for us all!
Cheers
Sunday, 15th June
Father's Day is now Big Business for the On Trade. Plan ahead and cash in by promoting a range of craft and cask beers especially for the Dads.
IPA
IPA is made with a blend of hops that give it a rich flavour and aroma, perfect for Dads
E.g. Greene King IPA. The fastest selling cask ale in the UK, Greene King IPA contains 100% English natural hops. This is what gives it the clean and crisp taste.
Pilsner
Or, if he’s more of a Pilsner guy promote a Pilsner that is crisp and refreshing, with just enough bitterness to keep things interesting. E.g. Bavaria Refreshing, fruity and hop-like, with a beautifully balanced full flavour.
Craft
Stout
Stout is always popular with the Dads - promote a unique brew to make his day memorable. E.g. Belhaven BLACK, a deliciously sessionable Scottish stout, with notes of coffee and dark chocolate.
British Ales
Classic British Ales are the quintessential treat for Dads - ideal with a Sunday roast. E.g. A well-hopped, light golden beer like Old Golden Hen goes with lamb dishes and cheese sauces.
61% of craft beer drinkers prefer to purchase in a pub / bar / restaurant**. Uiltje's Bird of Prey is a fruity IPA with tropical and citrus fruits, packed with hops. It is perfect with meat dishes, mature cheeses and sweet desserts.
Dads Live Sport!
Footie & Father’s Day boost
A combination of the Euro 2024 football tournament and Father’s Day in 2024 led to an 18% surge in beer sales*
The US Golf Open reaches its climax on the 15th June. Plus, the start of the FIFA World Club Cup - why not make your venue a firm favourite for Dads all weekend?
*CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker, Beer Today, Saturday, 29 June, 2024
Cider
THE PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY
The cider category is poised for more growth within the On Trade sector in 2025. As customers shift towards premium & super-premium offerings the future for cider looks bright.
£1,969.4M is spent on cider in the On Trade***
44% of consumers prefer high-quality or premium drinks*
Customers are buying fewer, but higher quality drinks in the On Trade and are willing to pay extra for a good experience, even when their spending is tight.
Premium brands now account for 67.4% of draught apple cider***
Apple cider leads the cider market with 61%** of the total volume, & approximately 4 out of 5 ciders sold in pubs & bars are apple ciders.
Growth in the super-premium segment has been impressive, driven by innovative, small-batch ciders that attract those looking for new & exciting flavours**
Premiumisation is only set to accelerate, with consumers continuing to trade up for crafted, heritage-led ciders. Operators who leverage this shift and prioritise premium, high-rate-of-sale ciders will be the ones to unlock long-term growth and maximise their cider sales.
Darryl Hinksman, Westons
THE TOP 10 CIDER BRANDS
Drinks Report 2024
29.1% increase in volume sales****
3 RD JUNE 2025
Bringing apple cider lovers from all over the world together to enjoy and celebrate the wide variety of cider! A very special drink clearly deserves a very special day. World Cider Day is the ideal time to promote your cider range and set up your cider sales for the summer. #premiumopportunity
ATTRACT THE CROWDS FOR THE FRENZY OF FOOTBALL FINALS
Live sport drives sales in the On Trade so it pays to make sure your venue is the preferred choice this spring as the football season reaches its exciting climax.
The Six Nations and FA Cup matches boosted footfall with sold during the weekend of 8th -9th Feb 2025*
DRINKS SALES
29.4 MILLION PINTS
in venues showing England winning 47-24 against Italy during the penultimate weekend of the Six Nations 2025 were
UP 28%**
The appeal of major live sporting occasions is massive and customers are as keen as ever to enjoy the unique watching experience that only pubs and bars can offer.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS (2nd leg) - 6TH & 7TH MAY
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL - 31ST MAY
EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS - 1ST & 8TH MAY
EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL - 21ST MAY
FA CUP FINAL - 17TH MAY
PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL FIXTURES - 25TH MAY
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OFF FINAL - 24TH MAY
LEAGUE ONE PLAY OFF FINAL - 25TH MAY
LEAGUE TWO PLAY OFF FINAL - 26TH MAY
TEAM TACTICS - KEY TO BIG MATCH SUCCESS
Ensure you have enough staff booked for the big games. Make sure everyone is briefed on timings of big games and any promotions you are running.
Take pre-orders for drinks and food to reduce the half time rush! Offer incentives such as a prize to the staff member who serves the most pints to help boost morale and encourage friendly competition.
Attract more customers with an outdoor sports bar area which makes for a unique and memorable experience.
Sip, Sip, Hooray! BOOST YOUR SUMMER WINE SALES
Now is the perfect moment to plan your wine list in time for those lighter nights and warmer days. May and June have some key wine dates to focus on. With the premiumisation of Sauvignon and the revival of Chardonnay in the On Trade and Rosé always a popular summer tipple these dates are ideal to kickstart your wine sales.
Sauvignon Blanc Day
2nd MAY
Falling on the first Friday of May, wine lovers from around the world come together to raise a glass to Sauvignon Blanc - a vibrant, aromatic white wine known for its crisp and refreshing flavours.
National Rosé Day
14th JUNE
Always the 2nd Saturday in June, National Rosé Day is the perfect day to promote this versatile and well-loved wine. Offering a varied range of rosé is crucial for venues during the warmer months from pale light pink Provencestyle wines to fruit driven darker styles.
Rosé sales by value UP 7.4% over 12 months*
PREMIUM ROSÉ sales by value increased 18.9%*
Prepare for alfresco fun!
Chardonnay Day
22nd MAY
A lively celebration dedicated to one of the world’s best loved white wines.
The increasing consumer demand for premium and sustainably produced wine presents a significant opportunity for the Chardonnay market.
A chilled glass of Chardonnay is now a popular choice.
Non-Alcoholic Wines
The rise of non-alcoholic wine is a refreshing trend across venues in the UK.
As health-conscious customers embrace ‘mindful drinking’, hospitality venues are seeing a significant growth in low and zero alcohol wine.
Maximise potential profits at your venue by ensuring that your outdoor areas are ready before the warm weather kicks in. Put an emphasis on a tidy, clean and comfortable outdoor space where your customers are made to feel welcome. Perfect for customers to enjoy a cold refreshing glass of wine. #summerwines #wineoclock
*https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/02/28/Summer-rose-wine-trends-for-pubs-in-2024/ **https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/08/global-sauvignon-blanc-masters-2024/
