Bristol-based café-bar chain Loungers has shrugged off the cost of living crisis and predictions of meltdown in the hospitality sector by chalking up a 17% increase in sales.
The group, which operates its outlets under the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, said it was benefiting from the work-from-home trend and consumers’ appetite to stay local, adding that it expected these to continue. 
The group is also looking to open a further 19 outlets during its current financial year – which would take its total to 225.
In a trading update for the 24 weeks to 2 October, Loungers said it had continued to “significantly outperform the market”.
Sales climbed by 17% when compared to the pre-pandemic 22 April to 6 October 2019 period.
The statement to the London Stock Exchange said that the performance came against a “well-documented challenging macroeconomic backdrop” was testament to the relevance and resilience of its brands.
The group has built its national reach on the success of the model it established in its early days in Bristol suburbs such as Fishponds, Westbury-on-Trym and on Gloucester Road.
CEO Nick Collins said: “Loungers continues to thrive and I am delighted with our consistent out-performance of the market, thanks to the fantastic efforts of our teams and the hospitality they provide.
“We are particularly pleased with the strong performance of our new openings and we are on track to open 30 sites this year.
“As our strong sales performance demonstrates, neither uncertainty in respect of the wider UK economy nor consumer attitudes towards discretionary spending have to date impacted our sales.”
He said the group was continuing to benefit from more people staying local, working from home and supporting their community and high street, adding these were trends the group believes are here to stay.
“We are operating in a particularly inflationary environment and we are working hard to mitigate inbound cost pressures and to maintain the value for money principles that are so important to our customers” he said.
“We continue to focus on getting the right balance and take confidence from the positioning of both Lounge and Cosy Club and their market-leading track records.”
