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Whitbread says hot weather put the brake on coffee sales

Published: 17:04 10 Sep 2013 AEST

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The summer sun put the brake on Britain’s coffee consumption, according to Whitbread (LON:WTB), owner of the Costa chain.

As the mercury soared, so sales growth at Costa slowed to a pedestrian 3% in the 11 weeks to August 15, down from the 8% advance seen in the first quarter.

The Premier Inns budget hotels posted total sales grow by 12.1%, giving an underlying advance of 2.9%, after the chain added a further 1,700 rooms.

Overall, Whitbread’s like-for-like revenues advanced 2.1% in the second quarter.

Chief executive Andy Harrison said: “We are on track with our annual plan and our ambitious five year growth milestones.

“Combined with our emphasis on returns, this growth should continue to create substantial shareholder value."

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