Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has posted its First Quarter Trading Update Trading statement covering the 14 weeks ended 6 January 2018.
Trading through the core three week festive season was strong, with LFL sales growth of 3.9%. Christmas Day was a record taking day with like-for-like sales growth of 5.4% and 225,000 meals sold.
Over the full 7 week period since our last update our sales performance has been encouraging, although impacted by the adverse weather particularly in the run up to the festive season.
The additional (53rd) week in the previous financial year impacts comparison of sales performance across key dates within this trading season. Adjusting for this to align calendar dates like-for-like sales growth was 1.6% over the previous 7 weeks and 2.2% in the year to date.
On an unadjusted basis, like-for-like sales growth in the year to date was 1.1% and total sales have increased by 0.5%, impacted by the disposals in the prior year.
M&B has continued to make good progress with its plans to build a more balanced estate, in particular premiumising its offers where possible and reducing the remodel lifecycle.
The firm has opened 2 new sites and completed 114 conversions and remodels in the financial year to date and remains encouraged by returns being generated. It expects to complete around 270 remodels and conversions in the full year.
Phil Urban, Chief Executive, commented, 'We are pleased to have delivered continued strong trading results over the important festive period in the face of difficult weather for many of our guests, indicating the attractiveness of our offers in a competitive market'.