Consumers continue to flock to the on-premise, despite economic uncertainty, according to the latest report from CGA, the on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ.
In the last week (data ending September 20), on-premise sales velocity was up 2% compared to the same period in 2024. Sales were also up 4% compared to the previous week (ending September 13).
The latest velocity uplift is due to more people visiting bars and restaurants, rather than price increases. The average ticket count at on-premise retailers increased 6% in the latest week, outweighing a 3% YoY decline in check value.
Over the last 12 weeks, on-premise sales velocity is now up 10%, compared to the same 12-week period in 2024.
YoY comps were more mixed across key states. Illinois led growth, with sales velocity increasing 15% YoY, followed by Florida (+11%) and California (+4%). Meanwhile, New York recorded a 15% decline in sales velocity. Texas (-2%) was also in the red.
Four of the five observed states recorded a week-over-week (WoW) sales velocity boost – Florida +16%; California and New York both +6%; Texas +1% – while Illinois was down 1%.
CGA’s report brings welcome news to beer industry members in a week filled with more gloomy numbers.
The Beer Institute (BI) released its August economic report Monday, releasing ahead of schedule due to upcoming quiet periods for some of the trade groups members. The latest report recorded a 11.4% YoY decline in total industry volume during the month, with now a 6% loss YTD.
Also on Monday, Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon shared an early weekly scans report, which had total bev-alc dollar sales down 2.8% in off-premise channels for the week ending September 21. Beer dollar sales (-3.3%) and volume (-4.6%) both remained in the red.
CGA’s latest figures are also a positive change from the company’s prior report, which included lackluster Labor Day data. On-premise sales velocity was down 10% on Labor Day (Monday, September 1) compared to the holiday in 2024 (Monday, September 2).