Marston's has said it expects to achieve its medium-term profit margin target earlier than planned after strong trading at its sports-focused pubs during the FIFA World Cup.
The pub operator, which owns more than 1,300 pubs across the UK, said England match days during the tournament helped drive a 22% increase in like-for-like sales. Sales at its Grandstand sports pub chain almost tripled compared with the same period last year.
Chief executive Justin Platt said the company had enjoyed "a strong start to the summer", with the Grandstand format continuing to outperform expectations.
Marston's introduced its Grandstand concept as part of a broader strategy to attract more customers through enhanced sports viewing and upgraded venues.
The company had previously set a target in October 2024 to increase annual EBITDA margins by between 200 and 300 basis points over the near to medium term. It now expects to reach that goal during the current financial year, ahead of schedule.
Despite the World Cup boost, overall trading remained subdued. Like-for-like sales fell 1.6% in the 42 weeks to 18 July compared with the previous year, as weaker consumer demand and wider economic uncertainty offset stronger trading during major sporting events.
Marston's maintained its full-year financial outlook.
Meanwhile, rival Fuller, Smith & Turner reported stronger underlying trading, with like-for-like sales rising by more than 5% over the 16 weeks to 18 July, supported by favourable weather conditions. Photo by Jorge Royan, Wikimedia commons.
