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Does the US lead?

US consumers are forecast, by the NRA, to spend $632 billion on eating out in 2012 – a massive 5 times what they spent in 1981. Of course, inflation has helped this expansion but even when it has been allowed for the market is twice what it was thirty years ago. The UK, in contrast, grew by a puny 50%.

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Horizons in the News | 21 February 2012

Eating out reserved for special occasions as cautious consumers make spending cutbacks

Eating out is becoming a treat reserved for special occasions with consumers demonstrating increasing caution with their discretionary spend as economic uncertainty persists. Some 33% of respondents to our recent QuickBite survey on eating out cited a special occasion as their reason for eating out in the previous two weeks, including Christmas, up from 23% in July 2011. Convenience (30%), meeting friends (30%) and not wanting to cook (22%) were the other key reasons for deciding to eat out, according to the YouGov study of 2,034 respondents conducted earlier this month.

The survey, which quizzed people on their eating out habits over a two-week period at the end of 2011, showed a marked decline in the frequency consumers ate out – down to 2.1 occasions in December 2011 from 3.3 times last year. Over a quarter (27%) said they had not eaten out at all in the previous two weeks, with cost being the most commonly
cited reason.

However, while consumers may be cutting back on the number of times they eat out, they continue to spend more when they do – up from £10.29 a year ago to £13.80.

“We have noted the tendency of consumers to eat out less, but spend more for sometime and this appears to be an ongoing trend. It also seems consumers now need a good reason to eat out – such as a special occasion – and are less inclined to eat out as a matter of course or on impulse,” commented Emma Read, Horizons’ Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Heavy snowfall last year makes it a bad year to compare with, but even so the frequency of eating out shows a significant decline, something we don’t expect to change throughout 2012. It is also clear from this research that cost is the key reason behind this fall.”

The QuickBite survey also reveals the emergence of a more discerning diner with the quality of food (79%) being the most mentioned factor when deciding where to eat out. Price came second (70%), followed by cleanliness (64%), standard of service (55%) and ambience (51%). An interesting and varied menu was important for 47% of respondents, while 41% choose a venue that won’t rush them.

Pub restaurants are the most common places to visit, accounting for 18% of all meals eaten out – up from 17% last year. Takeaway and delivery are the second most popular option, accounting for 14% of all eating out. But it seems that habit remains the strongest factor when choosing an eating out venue with 35% of respondents opting for a familiar venue, up from 31% in July 2011. For 17% the decision on where to eat out is an impulsive one.

Recommendations proved important in the choice of dining venue. Some 16% of respondents’ venue choices were influenced by recommendations and of those, 86% were from a friend or family member. Reviews or websites were mentioned as influential to 7% of respondents.

Average spend through the restaurant sector (including drinks) was £17 per head with pub restaurants coming in slightly cheaper at £15.80 per head. Average spend in a takeaway or delivery outlet is £11.

“Pub restaurants are slowly taking market share from other restaurants as consumers seek good value for money, a convenient location and a more casual eating out experience. We have also seen a huge improvement in the food offering of many pubs, particularly the big brands, which is proving popular with consumers. What’s clear in this market is that diners are becoming more demanding, but are loyal to their favourite outlets,” added Emma Read.

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Horizons in the News | 13 February 2012

Foodservice in the race for 2012 - Horizons review the Olympic position

Some things are known about the Olympics – the dates, the place, the numbers of athletes, support people and media for example.

Many things are unknown – the numbers of visitors, the behaviour of Londoners, the impact of world and local events and many more.

Horizons have produced a report which comments on the known factors and speculates on the unknown. It attempts to bring some clarity to the outcomes as far as the eating out market is concerned and it lays out the ground for updates that Horizons plan to provide as the Olympics approach.

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Horizons in the News | 08 February 2012

Foodservice sector must continue to innovate as trading is set to toughen in 2012

The UK foodservice sector faces its biggest challenge yet as 2012 brings a fourth year of retrenchment, with consumer confidence worsening and unemployment set to rise. With a year of austerity in prospect, the country’s 260,000 eating out establishments, which generate around £42bn-worth of sales per year, will have to work even harder than last year to tempt people to spend their money on eating out.

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Horizons in the News | 09 January 2012

Growth of new eating out brands evidence of demand for something healthy and different

Despite the UK’s depressed economy the eating out market continues to see a steady rollout of new restaurant and food takeaway brands, particularly those offering good quality, healthy, food-to-go and those based on Mexican and Japanese cuisines.

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Horizons in the News | 24 November 2011

Foodservice trading remains tough, though opportunities exist

While sales in the UK’s foodservice sector have plateaued, restaurant, bar and café operators are keeping customers eating out by introducing new brands, changing their menus and broadening their food and drink offering. This was the conclusion reached by Peter Backman, Horizons’ MD, at a breakfast briefing organised by the company on Friday 23 September at London’s Barber-Surgeon’s Hall.

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Horizons in the News | 27 September 2011

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