Mitchells & Butlers PLC (LON:MAB) has seen its sales rise by nearly 3% in the year-to-date although poor weather in recent weeks has impacted drink sales and margin pressures remain.
In a pre-close season trading update, the FTSE 250-listed firm said its total sales increased by 2.9% year-on-year for the 51 weeks to 16 September 2017.
READ: Sales growth accelerates at Mitchells & Butlers
The group - whose pubs include Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One – said like-for-like drink sales in the most recent weeks 8 weeks period were down 1.2%, but food sales over that time rose by 1.5%.
For the 51 week period, like-for-like drink sales were up 2.1% and food sales ahead 1.4%.
The group said: ”Following a strong sales performance in early summer the market has been more challenging in recent weeks, particularly given poor weather this year up against a sunny period last year which has specifically impacted drink sales. “
Phil Urban, M&B’s chief executive, said: “Whilst the weather in August and September has adversely affected the market we remain encouraged that our like-for-like sales performance continues to outperform the market.”
The company reiterated its warning that margins for the full year will be below last year due to inflationary cost pressures.