Consumers set to eat out less often says research
CONTINUING economic uncertainty and the rise in the cost of living will curb consumers’ spending on eating and drinking out, according to research.
A survey of 3,000 consumers in the North conducted by accountants Deloitte and market research firm BDRC Continental found a near 3% fall in intentions to go out over the next six months.
Respondents were quizzed on their eating and drinking habits out of the home, looking at every time they purchase drink or food from a pub, bar, coffee/sandwich shop, fast food outlet, restaurant or club, whether it be a sit-in or takeaway occasion.
The survey reveals coffee and sandwich shops account for nearly one in three eating and drinking occasions in the North (30%, of which 18% are drink-led and 12% food-led), eclipsing a trip to the pub (24% of occasions) or a bar (17%). Fast food outlets account for 14% of occasions, casual dining 7%, formal dining 4% and night clubs 3%.
Myles Duckworth, North West Consumer Business Partner at Deloitte, comments: “The results of the survey illustrate that Northern consumers are becoming more aware of the amount of times they go out to eat and drink and are cutting back.”
Despite the fall, the report found a big rise, 14.5%, in the number of consumers who plan to spend on ‘formal dining’ experiences, with expenditure on fast food falling nearly 7%.
