Eating out market remains stagnant

17-Jul-2023 - Last updated on 17-Jul-2023 at 10:52 GMT

The eating out market remains stagnant year-on-year, with weekly eating out frequency and penetration remaining unchanged due to the cost of living crisis, according to Lumina Intelligence.

The Eating and Drinking Out Panel snapshot for the four weeks to 11 June indicates consumers are exercising caution, with spend growth remaining behind inflation at 8.7% and year-on-year growth at only 1.1%.

Limited growth has been driven by consumers cutting back on discretionary spend despite the occurrence of half term within the period, according to Lumina.

Restaurants and pubs & bars have seen channel share decline by 0.3 and 0.8 ppts respectively as a result of food and drink price inflation, which is at 18.4% and 9.2% respectively.

Breakfast occasions have increased by 1.1 ppts as the most affordable day part – with food to go rising as a result of the return to offices – while pastries and sandwiches increased their share of food items by 0.5 and 0.6 ppts respectively.

This is attributed to their convenience and affordability as grab and go items.

The rise in breakfast aligns with a rise in retail, which has increased its share by 0.9 ppts as consumers return to offices, prioritise smaller on-the-go occasions, and cut back on large, socially driven events.

For more information about Lumina’s Eating and Drinking Out Panel, please click here.