Czech Pubs See beer Sales Dip as Summer Heatwave Fails to Deliver, Coffee Consumption Rises
Prague, Czech Republic – A surprisingly cool and damp July following predictions of an exceptionally hot summer has significantly impacted the Czech hospitality industry, leading to a nearly 10% year-on-year decrease in beer sales, while warm beverage consumption – notably coffee - saw an 8% increase. The unexpected weather pattern left pubs and restaurants overstocked and struggling, according to industry representatives.
While spring saw growth in gastronomy spending of 4-6%, the summer season proved disappointing for operators who had anticipated record sales based on meteorological forecasts.”Meteorologists have announced an extremely hot summer, so all operators expected record sales and were supplemented accordingly. Consequently, they ran twice - on low sales and to buy goods, which they then did not sell,” explained Luboš Kastner, a member of the Board of the Czech Republic’s restaurant association.
The downturn particularly affected smaller, rural pubs and hotel restaurants, as well as kiosks and bistros, which often rely heavily on tourist traffic and favorable weather. “Kiosky are often downright seasonal and more than other concepts are dependent on good weather. Manny of them are in attractive tourist sites or around cycle paths and other routes used,” stated Jan Sirotek.
Businesses were also hampered by a lack of seasonal workers. Despite increased willingness among young people, operators struggled to find part-time staff in July, according to Kastner. The shift in consumer preference towards warmer drinks, particularly coffee, benefited cafes, offsetting some of the losses experienced by customary pubs.
