The UK hospitality sector is evolving at pace. Shifting consumer habits, rising costs, and a rapidly changing digital landscape are redefining what success looks like for pubs, bars, and restaurants.
Our Pints & Profits 2026 report brings these changes into focus – uncovering the behaviours, expectations, and challenges that will shape the industry in the years ahead.
This blog offers a snapshot of the report’s key findings, but for every insight, stat, and actionable recommendation, you’ll want to download the complete Pints & Profits 2026 Report.
Summary:
- Visibility and the professionalisation of marketing
- From volume to value: A shift in how success is measured
- Rising costs and structural pressures
- Digital discovery now defines the customer journey
- The widening digital marketing gap
- Pubs as cultural and social anchors
- Low and no alcohol goes mainstream
- Changing reasons for visiting
- Digital behaviour: Discovery, content, and advocacy
- What comes next: Turning insight into action
Recurring themes: Visibility and the professionalisation of marketing
The report identifies two connected challenges that now define competitive advantage in the sector: visibility and the professionalisation of marketing.
Digital is no longer a supporting channel – it is the primary mechanism through which consumers discover, evaluate, and choose where to go. AI-powered discovery, mobile-first search, and social media have fundamentally reshaped the customer journey.
For many consumers, the “first impression” of a pub now happens long before they arrive – on a search results page, a map listing, or a social feed.
Pubs that recognise this shift are investing in structured and strategic marketing activity. Those who do not risk becoming effectively invisible, regardless of the quality of their in-venue experience.
From volume to value: A shift in how success is measured
One of the most significant shifts identified in the report is a move away from volume-driven growth towards value per visit.
Consumers are visiting pubs less frequently, but with greater intent. A visit is now more likely to be planned, researched, and positioned as a meaningful social occasion rather than a spontaneous drop-in.
As a result, revenue quality – what customers spend and how they engage during each visit – is becoming a more important metric than footfall alone.
This shift reflects broader economic pressures, but it also presents an opportunity. Pubs who can elevate the experience, communicate their value clearly, and meet higher expectations are better positioned to maximise each visit.
Rising costs and structural pressures
The sector continues to face sustained cost increases, with limited structural support – particularly for independent and smaller operators.
Prices have risen accordingly. The average pint now sits between £5.17 and £5.50, and alcohol and food prices are increasing faster than headline inflation. Official data shows alcohol prices rising by over 5% year-on-year in late 2025 alone.
At the same time, competition has intensified. Supermarkets have invested heavily in premium craft beers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and meal deals designed to replicate the pub experience at home. These alternatives compete directly for the same occasions – often at a lower cost.
The result is a more considered consumer. Visiting a pub is no longer a low-friction, habitual activity; it is a decision weighed against alternatives.
Digital discovery now defines the customer journey
A striking finding from the report is that 75% of customers research online before visiting.
This means that digital touchpoints – search listings, social profiles, reviews, and AI-generated recommendations – are now as influential as the physical venue itself. The decision to visit is often made long before a customer steps through the door.
However, no single platform reaches all audiences. Different demographics engage with different channels, content formats, and timings. A one-size-fits-all approach is no longer sufficient.
Operators who build a coordinated, multi-channel presence are far more likely to capture attention during the crucial planning phase.
The widening digital marketing gap
The report highlights a growing divide between operators who have embraced digital marketing and those who have not.
For some, digital remains ad hoc – irregular social posts, outdated listings, or incomplete information. For others, it has become a structured, data-informed discipline, with clear strategies for content, visibility, and customer engagement.
The consequences of this gap are significant. In an environment where discovery is digital-first, poor visibility directly translates into lost revenue. Put simply, if customers cannot find you, they cannot choose you.
Closing this gap is no longer optional – it is a commercial imperative.
Pubs as cultural and social anchors
Despite the challenges, the report confirms something fundamentally positive: people still want to go to pubs.
Demand remains strong and emotionally rooted. Socialising with friends is the primary reason for visiting, cited by 79% of respondents. This rises to 91% among 18–24-year-olds and remains significant at 69% among those over 65.
Pubs continue to play a vital role as community spaces – places to connect, celebrate, and unwind. This enduring relevance provides a strong foundation for the sector’s future.
The key challenge is not creating demand, but capturing it.
Low and no alcohol goes mainstream
The growth of low- and no-alcohol options is no longer a niche trend – it represents a structural shift in consumer behaviour.
Health awareness, changing social norms, and price sensitivity are all contributing factors. Consumers are increasingly looking for balance and choice, rather than abstinence or excess.
For operators, this presents an opportunity to diversify offerings, attract new audiences, and increase dwell time. Those who treat low and no alcohol as a core part of their range – rather than an afterthought – are likely to see the greatest benefit.
Changing reasons for visiting
While socialising remains the dominant driver, the report highlights emerging use cases that are reshaping how venues are used.
Daytime visits are becoming more common, with pubs increasingly serving as informal workspaces or “pub desks.” Flexible working patterns have blurred the boundaries between work and leisure, creating new opportunities to drive footfall outside traditional peak hours.
Food also continues to play a central role in decision-making, often acting as the primary draw for a visit. The modern pub experience is increasingly multi-dimensional, combining dining, socialising, and, in some cases, working.
Digital behaviour: Discovery, content, and advocacy
The way consumers find, evaluate, and share pub experiences has fundamentally changed.
Search behaviour now prioritises food quality, atmosphere, and value, with visual content playing a crucial role in shaping perceptions. High-quality imagery, up-to-date menus, and authentic social content are key drivers of engagement.
Reviews and ratings also carry significant weight, acting as both a discovery tool and a validation mechanism. Positive advocacy can amplify visibility, while negative or outdated information can deter potential visitors.
In this environment, digital presence is not just about being seen – it is about being chosen.
What comes next: Turning insight into action
The UK hospitality sector is at a pivotal moment. Consumer demand remains strong, but the way that demand is expressed – and captured – is changing.
The Pints & Profits 2026 report makes one thing clear: success will belong to those who can adapt. By embracing digital visibility, understanding evolving behaviours, and delivering meaningful experiences, operators can not only navigate current challenges but build a more resilient and profitable future.
This report doesn’t just highlight challenges – it provides a roadmap for addressing them. These recommendations are designed to help operators navigate a complex and competitive landscape, improving digital visibility and adapting to changing consumer expectations.
Download the full report and dive deeper into each trend, supported by data, case studies, and practical guidance to help you drive change with confidence.
Download Pints and Profits Report 2026Pints & Profits 2026: FAQs
Pints & Profits is an annual industry report that explores consumer behaviour, market trends, and operational challenges across the UK pub, bar, and restaurant sector. It combines data analysis with practical insight to help operators make informed decisions.
Brew publishes the report as part of its ongoing commitment to the hospitality sector. By combining proprietary data with industry expertise, the aim is to provide meaningful insight that supports operators in a rapidly changing market.
The report draws on a combination of consumer research, industry data, and contributions from hospitality professionals. Full details of contributors and methodology are available in the complete report.
Brew offers tailored support to help pubs implement the report’s recommendations – from improving digital visibility to developing marketing strategies. If you’re looking to turn insight into action, let’s chat.
With the majority of customers researching online before visiting, digital channels have become the primary gateway to discovery. Strong visibility ensures your venue is considered during the decision-making process, while poor visibility can exclude you entirely.
Competing effectively requires a focus on experience, differentiation, and perceived value. While supermarkets can compete on price, pubs have the advantage of atmosphere, service, and social connection – elements that cannot be replicated at home.
Matt Bowell
Matt has been in marketing for 25 years, clocking up many years for institutions like the NHS, the BBC, Comic Relief, Goodyear Dunlop, and Lonely Planet in the UK and abroad. Matt leads the client service team as one of Brew’s directors.
