Food, beverage sales rise by 3.6%

Positive annual growth rates were recorded for food sales (4.0%)‚'other' income (1.3%) and bar sales (0.6%)‚ Stats SA said.

The highest annual growth rates in April were recorded for takeaway and fast-food outlets (7.2% and contributing 2.5 percentage points) and catering services (6.3% and contributing 1.0 percentage point).

Total income increased by 6.6% in the three months ended April compared with the same three months last year‚ with the main contributors to this increase being takeaway and fast-food outlets (11.0% and contributing 3.8 percentage points)‚ restaurants and coffee shops (3‚8% and contributing 1‚8 percentage points); and catering services (5.8% and contributing 1.0 percentage point).