The Company has delivered a solid performance over the period, with like for like sales in its Managed Pubs and Hotels rising 3.0%, like for like profits in Tenanted Inns rising 2% and level total beer and cider volumes in The Fuller’s Beer Company. The additional (53rd) week in our previous financial year has moved the comparative period by one week in the calendar. For much of the year this has little effect, but it does impact reporting spanning the festive season and early January. Adjusting for this to align calendar dates, our like-for-like sales growth would have been +3.6% after week 33 and +3.4% after week 42.
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive, said: “These are a good set of figures in what remains a challenging trading environment. They prove that a great experience in a stunning pub with excellent service, delicious food and a fantastic range of interesting drinks, continues to appeal to our customers.
“Our long-term vision and prudent financing keep us well-placed to maintain our strategy of investing in our pubs, our portfolio of premium beer and cider brands, our people and our marketing. We will next update the market on 8 June 2018, when we announce the Company’s full year results for the 52 weeks to 31 March 2018.”