Headlines March - April 2023

Dear customer…

Welcome to the Spring edition of Headlines, packed with fantastic seasonal deals to support you in driving sales and profit during the months of March and April. With the first four-day Bank Holiday weekend of 2023 from 7th to 10th April, Easter is a key time in the On Trade calendar providing a great opportunity to increase revenue.

We have included tips for Easter planning and how to boost profit by taking advantage of the surge in premiumisation which is driving growth of RTDs, as well as the rum and tequila categories.

Saints days are always good to note in your Spring diary with St David’s Day on 1st March followed by St Patrick’s on 17th March - the perfect opportunity for pubs and bars to promote their best Irish food and drinks offers. 23rd April sees us celebrate St George and the chance to highlight English brands and traditions.

Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 19th March giving you the perfect springboard to launch attractive food and soft drinks offers guaranteed to make your outlet the place to be.

Sports once again assume centre stage as we move into Spring, with plenty of opportunities to increase footfall and create a unique atmosphere. The Six Nations reaches its climax on Saturday 18th March and for football fans there are the later stages of the FA Cup and the Champions League quarter finals in April. Plus, all the thrills of the Grand National on 15th April.

Here’s to a cracking Easter and Springtime success for us all!

Mum’s the word

Mother's Day has the potential to be one of the busiest days in your calendar so get your menus organised and advertise early. Sunday lunch is the traditional offering but there’s scope to expand the opportunity by opening your doors earlier and promoting a Mother's Day Brunch.

• Price the menu to make it affordable for families and cost-effective for you

• Consider a fixed menu or give the Instagram craze of grazing boards a go

• Include kids options on the menu

• It’s good to offer sweet and savoury, and sharing boards provide good value for you and your customers

• A welcome cocktail or mocktail is always a winner!

• Contact a local florist to offer a small bunch of flowers for mums to take home at a small extra charge

types of brunch:

BRUNCH Let’s Eat up Drin k

Even if you’re going for a bottomless brunch menu, ensuring you have a variety of drinks on offer can be a game-changer, inspiring every bruncher:

THE pitcher

For non- or mindful drinkers (as well as the kids, of course), a non-alcoholic pitcher is ideal.

Unlimited tea and coffee adds value to your brunchers and isn’t expensive to provide.

This classic is a great Mother's Day option. You could also offer a Virgin Mary for the non-drinkers.

A Mimosa: Prosecco topped with fresh orange juice is simple and inexpensive (and quick to make!).

Don’t forget to give a beer pairing – a light lager will work well with brunch.

RTDsRTDs

Promote Your Liquid Assets

PREMIUMISATION IS DRIVING THE GROWTH OF RTDs. Premium-priced RTDs have grown faster than any other segment over the past two years, albeit on a smaller volume base, with new products increasingly launching at higher prices. This is driven by an increase in SPIRIT-BASED OFFERINGS, HIGHER ABVs AND EXTENSIONS OF WELL-KNOWN PREMIUM BRANDS.

Across all markets, more than 50% of consumers prefer to purchase RTDs made by A WELL-KNOWN SPIRITS, BEER OR SOFT-DRINK BRAND. RTDs produced by a local craft brewery or distillery also rate highly, whereas celebrity-backed brands rank lowest in terms of influence.

RTDs are a distinct trade-up from beer, with CONSUMERS PAYING ROUGHLY DOUBLE for the same size serve of an RTD.

TREND TOWARD FULLER-FLAVOURED RTDs with flavour being the main driver in selecting an RTD.

2023 TOP BRANDS TO STOCK*

3

Ice Red

4 VK Orange & Passion Fruit

5 Hooch

6 VK Tropical Fruits

7 WKD Iron Brew

8 VK Strawberry & Lime

Easter Weekend

a cracking opportunity

The Easter Bank Holiday is a key four-day opportunity to increase footfall and sales for the On Trade. The evenings are becoming brighter and longer and for the first time since the New Year, many people will be using their time off to see friends and family. Make your venue the place to go this Easter!

EASTER BANK HOLIDAY SPEND IN UK PUBS, BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS WAS UP 74% IN 2022*

compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019. Warmer weather and improved spirits gave a well needed boost to business.

#EGGCITING PROMOTIONS #EASTER FUN

Easter provides the chance to target different customer groups including families, couples, or friends all wanting to share quality time during the Bank Holiday. Encourage repeat visits and attract new customers too utilising all your social media platforms! Why not run a social media Easter Egg Hunt competition by sharing photos in and around your venue to help showcase what you have on offer whilst engaging your audience?

#EASTER DRINKS OFFERS

Create an Easter themed cocktail! Don’t forget mocktails for the drivers and non drinkers.

CHOCOLATE DAIQUIRI

INGREDIENTS:

• 40ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum

• 15ml crème de cacao blanc

• 20ml lime juice • 10ml sugar syrup

• 3 dashes of chocolate bitters

METHOD:

Shake all ingredients with ice & double strain. Garnish with a chocolate dust rim (optional)