Mitchells & Butlers plc (M&B) has issued its first quarter trading update covering the 14 weeks ended 4 January 2020.
The group traded well over the core three-week festive period, with like-for-like sales growth of 5.6%, including strong performances on all of the key festive days.
Overall sales have strengthened over the period since our last update with like-for-like growth of 3.5%, with particularly strong food sales growth. Total sales have increased by 2.7% over the full year to date.
In the year to date, M&B has already completed 81 conversions and remodels and opened one new site, as it continues to improve amenity, and premiumise sites where possible. The company remains encouraged by the returns being generated.
Phil Urban, Chief Executive, commented, 'We are pleased with our trading performance over the festive trading season against a strong set of results last year, again demonstrating the breadth of appeal of our brands for special occasions.
'We achieved record sales levels across the five key festive days at growth of 6.5%. This continued progress reflects the output of our Ignite initiatives which will continue to be our focus for the year ahead.'