Wetherspoons sees 'reasonable' outcome

4th May 2011 07:03

Budget pub chain operator JD Wetherspoons says it should see a "reasonable" outcome to the current financial year despite higher costs and the tough times its customers are experiencing.The company "continues to be faced with rising costs for a wide range of goods and services, combined with a reduction in disposable income for many of its customers."Sales "continue to be resilient and the performance of our recently opened pubs remains encouraging."In the 13 weeks to 24 April, like-for-like sales increased by 2.4% from the same period the previous year, while total sales, including new pubs, were up by 7.4%. In the 39 weeks to 24 April, like-for-like sales increased by 2.4% and overall company sales increased by 7.6%.Wetherspoons has opened 29 pubs and closed two so far this financial year. It intends to have opened 50 by the year end.