The owner of JD Wetherspoon has praised "the gods of fashion" with young people "adopting" Guinness, as his bar and restaurant chain continues to see a lift in sales.
Like-for-like sales improved by 5.2% in the 13 weeks to April 28, 2024, compared with the same period last year.
Total sales were up 3.3% over the quarter and 6.5% in the year to date.
Chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, said: "Sales in the period continued the steady recovery from the pandemic.
"Traditional ales, which were very slow in the aftermath of the lockdowns, are increasing momentum, with Abbot Ale, Ruddles Bitter and Doom Bar showing good growth, as indeed are ales from the many small and micro brewers with which we trade.
"The gods of fashion have smiled upon Guinness, previously consumed by blokes my age, but now widely adopted by younger generations.
"Also selling well among younger generations are Au Vodka from Swansea and XIX flavoured vodkas, the latter promoted by the hugely popular Sidemen."
He added that wine "has been on the comeback trail" and is popular among the "chattering classes".
Mr Martin continued: "Sales of Lavazza coffee are also increasing. Free refills are thought to be responsible for spontaneous exhibitions of breakdancing among retired customers.
"Our new menu, launched last week, has had a promising start, with some kindly reviewers comparing new dishes favourably with respected competitors.
"The company expects profits in the current financial year to be towards the top of market expectations."
FTSE 100
The UK's flagship share index, the FTSE 100, was up 31-points at 8,345 shortly after opening this morning.
Brent crude oil futures were down 0.61%, trading at $82.65 a barrel.
Companies reporting today
- AB InBev - Q1 results
- Direct Line Insurance Group - Q1 Trading Statement
- J D Weatherspoon - Q3 Trading Statement
- OSB Group - Q1 Trading Statement
- Renishaw - Q3 Trading Statement
- Shopify - Q1 Results