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CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker shows average sales in managed venues in the week to 8 November were 2.3% ahead of the same period in 2024. This was followed by growth of 0.5% in the following seven days to 15 November. 

Both figures are below the UK’s rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index. However, they reverse three consecutive weeks of negative trading in October, and raise hopes that some consumers are lifting their spending on the run-in to Christmas and New Year.  

Trading in early November was boosted by Bonfire Night and firework displays, as well as a busy programme of Premier League, Champions League and international football fixtures, plus big rugby union fixtures for England, Scotland and Wales. The start of Christmas markets may also have lifted footfall in many British cities and towns. 

However, the arrival of Storm Claudia curtailed visits to pubs and bars in some parts of the country towards the end of the fortnight—especially on Saturday 14 November, when sales dropped by 8.2% year-on-year. 

Live sport has been a boost to Long Alcoholic Drinks categories, with beer sales rising by 3.6% and 1.7% in the weeks to 8 and 15 November respectively. Cider performed even better, with growth of 5.5% and 2.9%. Soft drinks also had a positive fortnight, increasing by 5.4% and 1.3%. 

Trends in other drinks categories were less encouraging. On Premise sales of spirits fell by 3.8% and 2.0% in the two weeks. Wine had fractional growth of 0.1% in the week to 8 November, but sales then dipped 2.8% in the following seven days. 

Rachel Weller, NIQ’s commercial lead, UK & Ireland, said: “While sales growth in the first half of November has been marginal, it lifts optimism that consumers are starting to increase their visits to pubs and bars as Christmas occasions get into full swing. Storm Claudia was another reminder of the damage that bad weather can do to trading, and operators and suppliers will be keeping fingers crossed for bright days that bring people out of home in the weeks ahead. There’s all to play for this festive season, and after a tough 2025 it could make or break the year for many businesses.”

 

The Daily Drinks Tracker provides analysis of sales at managed licensed premises across Britain and is part of NIQ’s suite of research services delivering in-depth data on category, supplier and brand rate of sale performance. To learn more, click here and contact the NIQ team.

Blackstone (NYSE:BK) continues to expand its daat center footprint as artificial intelligence elevates demand for these buildings. Lenders also feel optimistic about data centers, based on Blackstone’s being able to refinance 10 data centers owned by subsidiary QTS in a $3.5 billion deal, according to BisNow.

Blackstone entered the data center industry when it acquired QTS Realty Trust in 2021 for $10 billion. QTS now operates more than 70 data centers, marking an eightfold increase in less than five years.

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Those facilities support more than three gigawatts of capacity, making it a viable option for hyperscalers like Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) that need more energy for their AI ambitions.

Blackstone’s latest refinance unlocks more capital from its data center portfolio. The funds give the firm flexibility to buy additional facilities or use the cash for other business segments.

Data centers require significant capital to go from concepts to finished buildings, and that’s part of the reason why companies like Blackstone are refinancing their existing properties. Financing makes it easier to build more facilities, and the strong demand for AI and cloud computing suggests that more capital will flow into the industry.

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These facilities currently consume 5% of U.S. power, and that figure is set to double thanks to a $6.7 trillion buildout. Heavy data center concentrations are associated with higher electricity bills, according to CNBC. Higher energy costs and intense capital requirements haven’t stopped companies from building and scaling their data center portfolios.

Tech giants have also committed to lucrative deals that make these facilities more attractive in the long run. Meta announced a $27 billion joint venture with Blue Owl Capital (NYSE:OWL) in October to develop the Hyperion data center campus in Richland Parish, Louisiana.

The refinancing deal comes as interest rates continue to drop. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice this year, with the possibility of a third rate cut in December. Lower rates make it more affordable for Blackstone and other firms to borrow money. As rates drop, demand for commercial-backed mortgage securities may increase.