Strong Christmas gives Mitchells & Butlers a good start to 2012
26 January 2012 09:54
Pub group Mitchells & Butlers has said that milder weather over the Christmas period boosted demand in the casual dining sector, offsetting a more subdued post-New Year period and pushing like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to January 21st up 6.5%.
As a result, like-for-like sales in the first 17 weeks of the financial year were up 4.4%, whilst total company sales, including the impact from major disposals last year, were up 1.3%.
The group has said that its growth strategy is based on a foundation of simplifying processes and devolving greater responsibility and accountability to customer facing operations.
In the meantime, the company has set in place brand operations directors ahead of anticipated changes in central support structures where "a staff consultation period is in progress".
Mitchells & Butlers added that the search for a new CEO is ongoing.
Commenting on the results, executive chairman Bob Ivell said: "These results reflect a successful Christmas sales performance. Although assisted by better weather, they show that customers are still keen to treat themselves even in a difficult economic environment. I am encouraged by the progress that we have already made in a number of areas to re-focus the operations and improve the guest experience. This gives me confidence in our ability to successfully develop and grow the business in the year ahead."
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