The UK's largest hospitality company, Whitbread has released its Q1 trading update for the FY19, showing group total sales growth of 3.2% and good progress with efficiency savings. The company expect to deliver full year results in-line with expectations.
Premier Inn UK
During the first quarter Premier Inn UK performed well, growing total accommodation sales ahead of the market at 4.3%. This was driven by the 4,198 rooms that have been opened over the last 12 months, including 644 rooms that opened this quarter, and the robust domestic business to business market.
Premier Inn’s flat like-for-like accommodation sales reflected the continuation of weak market conditions in London as comparatives from last year were very strong driven by inbound tourism.
Overall hotel market occupancy in London declined year-on-year, which was compounded through Premier Inn’s capacity growth of 13.8%.
This strong capacity growth contributed to Premier Inn’s total accommodation sales growth of 6.3%. London continues to be a good long-term market with strong demand and high occupancy levels and further capacity will be added.
The regional market was more robust as domestic business travel grows steadily and Premier Inn continues to increase market share. Premier Inn’s position is supported by its strong value for money credentials and recently implemented business booker tool. Total accommodation sales growth in the regions in the first quarter was 3.8%, driven by the addition of 5.1% capacity.
Forward bookings have improved recently, and Premier Inn still plans to add 4,000 to 4,500 rooms across the UK and Germany this financial year.
The organic pipeline to reach 85,000 rooms by 2020 is secured through a mixture of new freehold, new leasehold and extended sites. This new capacity is expected to mature to reach return on capital in-line with the current estate and maintaining high direct bookings of 97% contributes to the strong margin structure.
Costa UK
In the first quarter, Costa UK grew total sales by 5.2% through the addition of new stores and Express machines in attractive convenience-based locations.
The UK like-for-like sales decline resulted principally from footfall weakness in traditional shopping locations, whereas travel locations continued to show good growth.
New products included an expanded selection of savoury snacks and the new ‘Flat Black’ and ‘Flat Mocha’ coffees to sit alongside the popular Flat White.
The upgrade of point-of-sale terminals across the UK was completed in April, which has already enabled a lunch-time value bundle to be introduced across the country. The technology upgrade has also enabled the trial of mobile ordering of coffee in 16 stores in London.
Costa Express
Total UK sales growth in Costa Express was 9.6% for the first quarter, driven by machine additions over the last year and positive like-for-like sales growth, demonstrating the strong customer demand for the convenience and quality of coffee provided by this unique proposition.
Despite the number of global machines remaining broadly flat in the quarter, after the exit of trials in Canada, plans are on track to install 1,300 machines worldwide this financial year, with international trials underway in European markets.
Alison Brittain, Whitbread PLC Chief Executive, (pictured) said, “Whitbread has started the year growing total Group sales by 3.2%. We expect to deliver in-line with expectations for the full year and we continue to make strong progress on our efficiency programme.
'Premier Inn UK delivered total accommodation sales growth of 4.3% driven by additional capacity. The hotel market was weaker in the first quarter due to strong comparable data this time last year and increased supply, including significant room openings from Premier Inn.
'Our new capacity has a short-term impact on like-for-likes but delivers good long-term sales growth. Forward bookings have improved recently, supported by the robust business to business market and comparatives ease later in the year. Our F&B sales declined slightly due to lower footfall from adverse weather.
'Costa UK grew total sales by 5.2% in the quarter through the strong contribution from new stores and Express machines. We continue to actively rebalance our network to high-footfall and convenient locations and have made good progress with our product innovation and operational initiatives. Our stores remain highly profitable and deliver an excellent return on capital. Costa Express continues to perform well and like-for-like sales in China are growing.
'Both the budget hotel market and the coffee market present long-term structural growth opportunities, and whilst we are cautious of shorter-term trading conditions in the UK, due to well- publicised consumer trends, we are confident that we have the right strategies in place to enhance our UK and international market positions and ensure each business is well-positioned to thrive as a separate entity.”
Update on Costa demerger
In April 2018, Whitbread committed to demerge Costa from Whitbread as fast as practical and appropriate to optimise value for shareholders. Constructive early steps have been taken in preparation for the demerger and good progress continues to be made on the core infrastructure and efficiency work that was already underway. A further update on the demerger will be provided alongside the interim results in October 2018.