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Wage spike forces pubs to choose between margins or prices

Are you ready for £9 for a pint?
February 1, 2024
  • Hospitality hit hardest by living wage hike
  • Site expansion key to profit growth

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin took the opportunity to advance his crusade against supermarkets in the group’s latest trading update

His primary complaint – which he has made since 2010 if not earlier – is the price differential between a pint purchased in Tesco (TSCO) or Sainsbury’s (SBRY) and one served in his establishments. This is important given his pub group is competing with off-trade sales as much as other venues, and higher labour costs will widenthis divide.

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