// Pret A Manger sales rise above pre-pandemic levels for first time since January 2020

// Airport sales are still more than a fifth below pre-Covid levels

Pret A Manger has reported that sales have risen above pre-pandemic levels for the first time since Covid-19 struck.

The coffee chain said UK sales were higher last week than in January 2020.

This included London’s financial districts, airports and West End shopping districts, as well as regional towns, northern counties and Scotland, and marked the first time that sales have returned to pre-Covid levels.

READ MORE: Pret A Manger enters self service coffee market

Sales in Yorkshire were reported to be the strongest, with a 61 per cent rise since January 2020.

Meanwhile, London suburbs have seen a 35 per cent rise since the beginning of the pandemic as many people continue to work from home.

Districts where sales are still below pre-virus levels include the City of London, which has seen a 13 per cent rise.

This is due to office workers spending more days working from home, as well as the capital’s airports and mainline stations witnessing less passengers.

Pret’s airport sales are still more than a fifth below pre-Covid levels.

“On average around the country, we’re back at the level of business we were at before the pandemic hit,” Pret chief executive, Pano Christou said.

“But we know we need to keep pushing in London’s business districts and constantly think about new ways to grow our business in those crucial markets.”

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