On-premise sales velocity slowed slightly in recent weeks, down -2% week-over-week (WoW) in the latest week (ending November 5) and -3% in the previous week, according to CGA, a NIQ-powered on-premise market research firm, in the latest On-Premise Impact Report.
The -2% decline was driven by a -1% WoW decrease in traffic (ticket count) and -2% decrease in check value.
Total U.S. sales velocity is now down -4% year-over-year (YoY), due to a -3% YoY decrease in traffic and -1% decrease in check value.
Three of the five key states tracked by CGA recorded a sales velocity decline WoW:
- New York (-4% WoW, +1% YoY);
- Illinois (-12% WoW, -14% YoY);
- California (-3% WoW, -10% YoY).
Texas (+2%) and Florida (+1%) both increased sales velocity WoW, but are down YoY (-2% and -1%, respectively).
CGA also shared performances for the end of Halloween weekend.
Drinking outlets saw a boost over the weekend, with a +4% increase in sales velocity on Sunday, October 29 versus an average Sunday in 2023, driven by a +8% increase in traffic.
Sports bars in particular received a holiday boost, with a +10% increase in sales velocity on October 29 versus an average Sunday.
Looking ahead to Veterans Day (November 11), the on-premise is expected to get another boost, mainly at food-led outlets.
In 2022, when Veterans Day landed on a Friday, total U.S. on-premise outlets recorded a +6% increase in sales velocity on the holiday and +5% increase on Saturday versus each respective average day in 2022. Both days recorded increases in ticket count, with an extra boost on Friday (+9%).
Food-led outlets recorded a +6% increase in velocity and +10% increase in traffic on Veterans Day. It was the second-largest Friday in 2022 for “polished casual” food-led outlets, which recorded a +11% increase in velocity.