J D WETHERSPOON PLC
Trading Update Announcement
J D Wetherspoon plc (the “company”) today publishes its scheduled trading update announcement for the 14 weeks to 5 November 2023, comprising quarter one (Q1) and a further week.
Current trading
Like-for-like (LFL) sales in the first 14 weeks of the financial year were 9.5% higher than the same period last year. Bar sales increased by 10.7%, food by 8.2% and slot/fruit machines by 10.0%. Hotel room sales increased by 6.2%.
Total sales have grown by 8.1% in the year to date.
The “Coffer CGA Business Tracker” reports monthly LFL sales for a number of multi-outlet pub and restaurant companies.
In September, the latest month for which information is available, the tracker reported industry LFL sales of +5.9%, compared to +9.4% for Wetherspoon.
Wetherspoon has outperformed the tracker for 13 consecutive months.
Which? Report – Best hotel chains in the UK
In October 2023, Which? reported that a survey of 4,611 of its members and the public had rated Wetherspoon hotels 4th highest of all large UK hotel chains (more than 31 hotels) for value.
Wetherspoon achieved an overall customer score of 73%, which was higher than Sofitel, Hilton, Marriott, Radisson Blu and many others.
Financing
On 22 August 2023, the company disposed of all interest rate swaps in place, receiving £14.8 million.
At the same time, the company fixed interest rates in respect of £200 million of borrowings from 23 August 2023 to 6 February 2025 at a rate of 5.665%. On 25 September 2023, the company fixed interest rates in respect of £400 million of borrowings from 6 February 2025 to 6 February 2028 at a rate of 4.225%.
Interest costs for FY24, excluding IFRS 16 notional interest, are expected to be approximately the same as they were in FY23 (£51 million), following the transactions noted above.
Property
The company has opened one pub at London’s Heathrow airport during the period.
Four pubs have been sold and six leasehold pubs have been surrendered to the landlord.
The company currently has a trading estate of 816 pubs.
Urban Myths
In a pre-close trading statement of July 2023, a section was included in respect of inaccurate “urban myths” concerning Wetherspoon pubs. Urban myths are surprisingly resilient, so it is intended to repeat this section in an appendix, until the message reaches all corners of the known universe. (Please see appendix 1 below)
Outlook
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said:
“Sales in the first 14 weeks of the financial year have continued the pattern of gradual improvement which has followed the ending of lockdowns and restrictions. Inflationary pressures have eased, but energy costs, in particular, remain at far higher levels than pre-pandemic, putting pressure on suppliers and the wider economy.
“The company is increasing investment in existing pubs in the current financial year to approximately £70 million (FY23: £46.9 million). Areas of investment include new staff rooms, changing rooms, glass racks above bars (to cater for increased usage of brewers’ “branded” glasses) and air conditioning.
“The company currently expects an outcome for the financial year in line with market expectations, and will provide further updates as the year progresses.”