Sodexo, Moto, F Robinson, trading, dems, competitive socialising etc.:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Having been dragged up hill and down dale by the dog over the weekend, I can’t help hankering back to the days of the boisterous beast’s predecessor.

Because, whilst the current dog has energy to burn and speed to spare, the late and now lamented Barney wouldn’t move much in cold weather and, in anything above 20 degrees or so, he wouldn’t move at all.

And, whilst that was a problem if the temperature clicked up whilst you were in the middle of a walk, you could generally manage around that eventuality and have a fairly relaxed time of it.

But not so with this one because tired? She doesn’t do tired.

The answer to a momentary loss of energy is ‘more food’ not ‘a nice lie down’ and we paid the price in the heat in YO43 yesterday before obliging her, largely against her will, to settle in the pub and watch us eat a meal.

We frequented North Cliffe, Houghton Moor Woods and the Dog & Duck in Walkington, £64.20 for four Sunday roasts and a round of drinks, one beer, mostly water. Details on request and let’s move on to the news:

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Trading:

CGA’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker reports that drink sales in the week to 1 July across the on-trade rose 6:…

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The consumer:

Demographic issues, renters impacted. FT Alphaville states that the BoE’s MPC referenced the private rental sector for the first time in its latest Monetary Policy Summary….

Demographic issues, older consumers. The IFS reports that around 390,000 people who took early retirement during the onset of the pandemic have fallen into poverty….

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Competitive socialising:

Mintel has reported that ‘competitive socialising is now an important part of the UK leisure market…’

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Staffing.

The BBC runs with an article suggesting that ‘the UK’s hospitality sector is still short-staffed and businesses fear they will struggle to cope over the busy summer holiday season.’

Other news:

Competitive socialising. KAM reports that 39% of the UK adult population had visited a CompSoc venue in the last year- up 12% on 2022. It reports that ‘activity-led socialising is certainly on the up.’

In the US, labour market data shows that employment in leisure and hospitality was up by 21,000 positions. This is down on recent months…

In the US, Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber are suing New York City over a proposed rise to $17.96 in minimum hourly pay for delivery workers from 12 July. The minimum is set to rise to $19.96 per hour in 2025.

COMPANY NEWS:

Five Guys has joined Uber Eats’ delivery platform, with the burger chain now available on all three delivery aggregators after initial exclusivity to Deliveroo in its early years in the UK.

Moody’s reports that Sodexo SA’s move to spin-off of its BRS business (a voucher & rewards business) would ‘slightly weaken’ the company’s position but says that ‘it would remain overall strong….’

The plans to open a go-karting track, Boom Battle Bar and trampoline park inside a former Debenhams site in Colchester have been approved.

Per MCA, Wagamama founder Alan Yau plans to launch a plant-based ramen product for retail, which will be sold direct-to-consumer on-site, online and through supermarkets.

Sky News reports that Deliveroo has agreed a deal to turn its delivery vehicles into advertising inventory in a move which will create a new revenue stream for the company….

Moto Hospitality reports revenue up 34% to £1.06bn as traffic levels returned to c97% of 2019 levels post-pandemic….

Frederic Robinson Ltd has reported its FY numbers for the period ended 31 December 2022 to Companies House. The company is a “fully vertically integrated” regional brewer and pub retailer, based across North West England, Yorkshire and North Wales….

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Drivers at UK soft-drink manufacturer A.G. Barr have rejected a 5% pay offer at an Irn-Bru production and distribution centre in Scotland…

Stock Spirits is to buy German spirits producer Borco in its first move into Tequila.

The Guardian reports that staff at The Ivy Collection restaurant group believe their share of the service charge paid by diners has been unfairly reduced…

Tim Horton in China has opened its 700th store and says it is on track to reach 1,000 stores by the end of this year.

Australian non-alcoholic drink brand Lyre is reported to have completed its latest funding round.

GMB members at an Amazon warehouse in Coventry are to strike next week in a dispute over pay.

Sky News reports that discount retailer Wilko ‘is racing to secure a cash injection as it prepares to launch a financial restructuring aimed at securing its future….’

HOTELS & LEISURE TRAVEL:

Travel Weekly reports that US bookings have entered a slowdown but that they remain a top-selling long-haul destination….

Gatwick Airport has announced that it has submitted an application for a £2.2bn second runway that could see passenger traffic double to 75 million….

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has proposed UK air traffic control charges to be set at £2.08 per passenger for every flight – an average increase of about 43p. The regulator said the price controls will enable Nerl to recover its costs from the pandemic period.

Cirium reports that flight cancellations in H1 2023 were at their lowest level since 2019, at just 1.53% of all scheduled departures vs 1.82% in H1 2022.

The Port of Dover has reported that delays were being experienced over what was the beginning of the summer holiday season for some families….

OTHER LEISURE:

Six-strong chain Empire Cinemas has collapsed into administration with the loss of 150 jobs.

FINANCE & MARKETS:

UK labour market stats (average earnings & unemployment) out tomorrow.

Jobs growth in the US slowed last month as higher interest rates impacted activity levels…

The Halifax Building Society reported on Friday that house prices have fallen at their fastest rate in 12 years, by 2.6%, in the year to June…

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The CBI has commented on the upcoming Mansion House speech to be given later today, saying ‘amidst fierce global competition, the Chancellor is absolutely right to intensify his focus on investment by making the UK a more attractive destination to start, grow and publicly list companies….’

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Sterling mixed at $1.2812 and €1.1691. Oil up at $78.01. UK 10yr gilt yield unchanged from Friday at 4.65%. World markets weaker on Friday & Far East down in Monday trade. London set to open around 14pts lower as at 6.30am.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

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