Spending at restaurants, pubs and bars up 8.9%, report finds
According to Lumina Intelligence’s UK Eating Out Market Report 2021, over half of the UK adult population had an eating or drinking out occasion each week in the last 12 weeks.
The average spending in restaurants, pubs and bars increased by 8.9% due to consumers visiting higher spend channels in the 12 weeks ending 3 October 2021, compared to the 12 weeks ending 11 July 2021, revealed the latest update to the Lumina Intelligence UK Eating Out Market Report 2021.
According to the report, over half of the UK adult population had an eating or drinking out occasion each week. This reportedly peaked at 58% for the week ending 5 August 2021, coinciding with the late August bank holiday, warm weather and increased leisure time driving a rise in out of home occasions.
Additionally, the report revealed that the proportion of out-of-home occasions that are purchased and consumed on-premise increased by 3.4% to 74.0% in the last 12 weeks, compared to 70.6% in July.
As a result, delivery rates reportedly declined in share by 2.1%, and click and collect declined by 1.5% as consumers ate and drank out of their homes more often.
Restaurants also shared an increase in total eating out occasions of 3.5%, from 15.3% to 18.8%, and pubs and bars increased share by 2.4%, from 15.4% to 17.8%.
The quick service restaurant channel maintains the highest share of occasions, however in the latest 12-week period it has reportedly fallen by 2%, driven by the decline in delivery occasions.
Additionally, lunch occasions increased by 2.3% over the past quarter, with dinner occasions decreasing by 2.2%. Lunch accounted for over one-in-three (34%) eating out occasions.
Blonnie Whist, insight director at Lumina Intelligence, said: “The easing of restrictions is resulting in consumers returning to more indulgent, higher ticket channels, such as pubs/bars and restaurants.
“This will come as positive news for operators, ahead of a critical festive period that is reliant on restrictions remaining eased and consumer confidence in socialising continuing to grow.”
She added: “The end of summer also coincided with many returning to the office in some capacity, which will be a key driver in the increase in lunch occasions. City centre operators, who have had a torrid 18 months will be buoyed by the steady return of workers and the increases in commuter traffic.”