Costa boosts sales for Whitbread
Whitbread has said its Costa chain of coffee shops has enjoyed a good start to its financial year with strong sales growth in its first quarter.
In the 13 weeks to 2 June total system sales grew by 11.4% to £414.3 million. Within this, franchise system sales climbed by 10.5% to £158.7 million.
UK equity stores grew their like-for-like sales by 2.6%. During the period Costa opened 35 net new UK stores.
International system sales increased by 11.5% to £88.3 million. The company said it was “excited” about the long term growth opportunity in China although it had recently experienced a tougher trading environment due to a weaker Chinese economy.
Across the wider Whitbread group, which includes the Premier Inn hotel chain, total sales grew by 8% with like-for-like sales up 1.8%.
Whitbread chief executive Alison Brittain said: “Whitbread delivered total sales growth of 8% in the first quarter as we continue with a relentless focus on our customers, innovation and investing in our strong brands. Costa has started the year well and Premier Inn continues to win share, albeit in a weaker than expected hotel market.”
