Contract catering sales soar 69% in Q2
Meanwhile, on a rolling 12-month basis, sales for the year to end-June were 38% below the previous 12 months, demonstrating the impact of ‘on-off closures’ of private and public sector spaces
Contract catering sector sales for the period between April and June 2021 soared by 69% compared with the same period in 2020, according to the latest edition of the Contract Caterer Tracker by CGA.
Nonetheless, on a rolling 12-month basis, sales for the year to end-June were 38% below the previous 12 months, demonstrating the impact of “on-off closures” of private and public sector spaces.
Year-on-year sales growth rose at a higher pace during April into May and June months in 2020, when the majority of venues served by contract caterers, like schools, universities, offices and sporting venues, were closed.
Karl Chessell, business unit director hospitality operators and food, EMEA, CGA, said: “With many people continuing to work from home, it may be some time before sales get back to pre-Covid-19 levels, but the gradual return of education, leisure, and event catering over the second quarter has been a positive start.
“As is the case in hospitality, the pandemic has reminded us just how much consumers and organisations value contract caterers. Significant operational challenges remain, especially in recruitment and distribution, but we can be optimistic that demand will continue to pick up over the rest of 2021.”
