Brexit means camping as UK leisure stocks get staycation

[LONDON] The UK's decision to leave the European Union last year is proving a boon for companies that accommodate Brits holidaying at home.

The number of trips abroad made by British people declined again in August, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics, indicating a potential rise in "staycations" as a less-valuable currency and falling living standards influence travel plans.

According to retailer Halfords Group plc, sales of camping equipment were the highest on record in the six months ended Sept 29. Hoteliers are also benefiting: at Fuller Smith & Turner Plc, which operates a chain of boutique inns, like-for-like accommodation sales were up 8 per cent in the six months ended Sept 30.

"Our accommodation offer continues to develop and take advantage of the opportunities provided through staycations," Fullers said in a statement Friday.

Here's a look at some stocks that stand to gain from a rise in staycations:

JD Sports Fashion Plc: It's not just Halfords with a stake in the U.K. camping market: JD acquired tent retailer Go Outdoors Ltd. in November to add to its Blacks Outdoor chain. The company says its outdoor division swung to a profit for the first time in the 26 weeks to July 29, primarily due to the acquisition.

Cineworld Group Plc: Going to the movies is an obvious choice for staycationers, according to the UK's only publicly traded cinema chain. "They will need to do something, and the cinema is a good place to come and spend time," Chief Financial Officer Nisan Cohen said by phone.

Hollywood Bowl Plc/Ten Entertainment Group Plc: Bowling alley operators may also see increases in traffic, according to Berenberg's leisure analysts.

Merlin Entertainments Plc: Staycations "should have been helpful" for resort and theme park operators, Barclays said in September, before Merlin's warning of a sustained terrorism threat sent its shares plunging.

Peel Hotels Plc: "So much depends on staycation," the owner of nine high-end U.K. hotels said in July, later warning that a slowdown in commercial activity due to Brexit had counteracted the trend.

Joules Group Plc: To get the real staycation effect, you may need to move to the beach. Joules, a clothing and accessories retailer, may benefit next year, given that it has a number of seaside and rural locations, according to Peel Hunt analyst John Stevenson.

AA Plc: There were suggestions that more long-distance journeys by U.K. motorists could add to sales at the recovery service and insurance provider, Barclays analysts said in September. However, Berenberg's Calum Battersby cautioned that there would likely be a lag on adjustments to policies.

While it might be natural to think that falling overseas travel could weigh on the likes of tour operators and airport retailers, so far that's not been the case, analysts say. Retailers such as WH Smith Plc that operate in London's large airports will conversely benefit from a high volume of inbound traffic as overseas visitors take advantage of the weak pound, according to Whitman Howard's Tony Shiret.

SSP Group Plc, which operates eating concessions at some of the U.K.'s key airports, is also showing little indication of a downturn, according to Shore Capital analyst Greg Johnson. BLOOMBERG