JD Wetherspoon blames squeeze on consumers' incomes for drop in margins

03 November 2011 by
JD Wetherspoon blames squeeze on consumers' incomes for drop in margins

Pub group JD Wetherspoon has blamed the squeeze on consumers' income for a 0.2% drop in operating margins to 9.3% for the first quarter of its financial year.

Like-for-like sales rose 1.1% and total sales were up 7.3% over the 13 weeks to 23 October 2011.

Wetherspoon also warned of increases in costs, including utilities, labour, and bar and food supplies. But it reserved the bulk of its criticism for increases in taxation and regulation

The company opened eight new pubs in the quarter and still plans to open 50 during the year.

Warm weather sees TCG's like-for-likes soar 17% >>

Cask ale outperforms UK beer market >>

Wetherspoon to showcase US cask-conditioned beers in beer festival >>

By Neil Gerrard

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