Tag: bars

Sugar Tax & Summer has arrived! Stocktaking Summer update

Bar stocktaking, Licensed Trade, news, Pub stocktaking, Restaurant stocktaking

This year has flown by, we are already heading into the Summer and as is normal there are lots of stocktaking challenges ahead.

Sugar Tax considerations

With the new sugar tax coming into for there are lots of implications for pubs, bars and restaurants.

Update your soft drink options

Have you looked at your soft drinks options since the sugar tax has come into place?

There are various options to switch products, so that you can avoid the tax. Like moving from Pepsi to Pepsi Max and from Coke to Coke Zero. Some of the alternative post mix products of Coke & Lemonade are also sugar tax free.

However, be aware that some products that you think would not have been affected by the tax, have been. A good example being some of the commonly used mixers & fruit juices.

Don’t forget your gross profit

Have you checked your GP% since the tax was introduced? Some products have had a large increase, for example Coca Cola is now about £10 a box more expensive. It is important that you reflect these changes in your pricing if your GP is not to be effected.

Many pub, bar and restaurant owners are struggling with how to charge more for sugar tax items than the diet versions. Many have chosen to increase the pricing of both products. With increasing business costs such as rises in the minimum wage this is one way to protect your profit margins.

Ask your stocktaker

The general advice is don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your stocktaker. They should have the knowledge to advise you and also visit a variety of licensed premises in your region and so know what is happening in the marketplace.

Summer Drinks

Cider crazy

It looks cider is still the favoured summer drink with sales set to soar during the good weather.

Many in the licensed trade are responding to this demand by installing fruit cider on draught, rather than stocking so many bottled versions.

It is also noticeable that all the big companies now seem to be producing a fruit cider of some description – so there is a lot more choice including Cloudy Cider which is selling well at outlets I work with.

Lighter Ales

Real Ale sales are dropping in the heat of summer, so it seems sensible to reduce the number of options available so that you maintain the quality. Lighter Ales are a better option for the summer.

National Beer Day

Remember that 15th June is National Beer Day, a great opportunity for pubs and bars to generate business through promotions.

Chilling challenges

With the lovely hot, sunny weather comes the challenge of refrigeration and keeping all drinks and food products suitably chilled.

So make sure you are monitoring your cellar temperature and that of your remote coolers. Have a look at your bar fridges and any under counter coolers and make sure that the condensers and cooling grills are clear of rubbish and dust – give them a hoover as part of a monthly cleaning schedule.

Kitchen fridges can also be a problem, so it is worth having them serviced to check on their health and action anything before it comes a problem.

 

 

Pub stocktaking reports – do you have enough management information

Bar stocktaking, news, Pub stocktaking

Pub stocktaking by Paul Hunt Management Solutions

Pub stocktaking reports

In what has been a very busy summer of stocktaking, I have seen a noticeable increase in the number of licensees – of pubs, bars and clubs – asking more questions and advice relating to their stock control.

It’s always pleasing that clients are appreciating the need  for more information to help them run their business efficiently and profitably.

Are you getting a PLU report?

A great example of this, has been a new client I have begun working with this summer, who felt that they were not getting the information from their previous stocktaker that they required.

In this case the main issue was that the owners were not being give a PLU report to highlight what stock was short. As this was a freehold premises being run by a manager on the behalf of the owners, a PLU is essential information for them so that they could analyse and discuss with the manager issues such as stock shortages.

What’s in a pub stocktake report?

A stocktake can reveal a lot of important trading information for pub, bars and clubs from PLU reports to gross profit percentage per category.

Click here to find out what our typical pub, bar and club stocktaking reports include»

Expert stocktaking in Bath, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire

Paul Hunt, of Hunt Management Solutions, provides food & beverage stocktaking services for the hospitality industry across Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Paul works on a daily basis with pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, theatres, cinemas, student unions and a lot more.

If you need support from an experienced and qualified licensed trade stock auditor please contact Paul on 07917 176 005.

 

Maintain your profit margins. Post Budget thoughts for the Licensed Trade

Bar stocktaking, Hotel stocktaking, Licensed Trade, news, Pub stocktaking

Profit margins - a stocktakers viewWith brewery new year price increases and recent Budget changes that also increased prices, now is a good time for those in the licensed trade to make sure that their profit margins are in good order.

I have found that most clients have waited for the outcome of the latest Budget before looking to increase prices. This is not surprising as most prefer to do just one price increase rather than two in quick succession.

However, it is important that you reflect the increased costs in your pricing so that your bottom line isn’t impacted.

Don’t forget changing food prices

It’s also important that owners of pubs, bars, restaurants etc don’t forget to review their food profit margins. As we have already seen this year, weather events are having quite an impact on the availability and pricing of food imported from Europe, particularly fruit and vegetables.

As a result, do keep an eye on your food GP%.

Calculating your Profit Margins

There is a simple GP% calculator that can be found on ILTSA (Institute of Licensed Trade Stock Auditors) website to help you.

GP% calculator»

Budget 2017

Here are my thoughts and observations on the March 2017 Budget:

  • The budget increase is going to mean about 10p on a pint. This is in addition to the 10p you may have been expecting to add because of the brewery increases.
  • Wine prices increased at the end of last year & have gone up again in the budget. Wine increases look like they will be in the region of 20p-50p per bottle.
  • Spirits, look like they need to be increased by 5p, but I would envisage that this will actually end up being a 10p increase.

What will customers make of price increases?

Of course no one is delighted by price increases, but while there may be some customers who show dissatisfaction, most will accept these increases in today’s economic climate.

Many still find that customers try and compare pub prices with supermarket prices. We can only continue to educate the public on the fact that prices are not just a reflection of the beverage but also for the environment in which they consume them.

Checking those invoice prices

Are you checking the prices on your invoices?

When stock arrives it is easy just to check that correct products have been delivered but I have found that many do not also ensure the prices are correct.

If you have regular stocktakes, then your stocktaker will help you pick up if you have been overcharged as they will have industry knowledge of prices.

However, it is good practice to check all the prices on the invoice as the stock is delivered as it could save you money.

Single bottle or a case?

One of the common pricing errors that people miss is where they have been charged for a case rather than a single item.

Contract prices

For those that have contract prices on products, be particularly careful when you order something different. Make sure the price is checked because this type of error can easily slip through and be costly.

Use an expert

When it comes to maintaining profit margins and stock control, a professional and experienced stocktaker is worth every penny of their fee.

From establishing what your GP% is to identifying and fixing issues a good stocktaker will help your business run more efficiently and profitable.

Find out more about our stocktaking services including:

Or give us a call on 07917 176 005

 

 

It’s National Beverage Day – celebrate at a pub or bar!

Bar stocktaking, news, Pub stocktaking

National Beverage Day - head to a pub or barToday, Friday 6th May, is National Beverage Day, the perfect excuse to head to a pub or bar this lunchtime especially if you can enjoy the sunny weather in the beer garden.

After a few minutes research, it would appear that the National Beverage day origin is unknown.  However, it is safe to assume that everyone should be encouraged to enjoy a beverage of choice reflect upon the power it has to refresh, energise and bring people together :o)

Celebrate National Beverage Day at your local pub or bar

Whatever your beverage preference from a hot cup of tea, to summer cocktail to beer, head to your local bar or pub to celebrate Beverage Day. Or why not use National Beverage to try a new daring cocktail or a new beer  – what better excuse do you need?

National Beverage Day…. we will drink to that.

(Please drink responsibly on National Beverage Day)

#nationalbeverageday #pubs #bars

 

Hunt Management Solutions

Hunt Management Solutions offers pub and bar stocktaking services in Bath, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the south-west of England.