Eating out is proving a luxury that few people are willing to forgo according to Horizons’ latest QuickBite survey, conducted amongst 2,105 consumers in June 2012 by YouGov.
Consumer confidence may still be low, but British adults are choosing to go out more often than they have done previously, the highest frequency since December 2010, with the average British adult eating out 2.77 times in the past two weeks, compared with 2.02 times in July 2011.
Out more often, but spending less
However, while Brits are eating out more often, spend for those who had eaten out in the past two weeks has declined and now stands at an average of £12.30 (including drinks), compared with £12.69 a year ago.
Average spend in restaurants and pub restaurants dropped to £15.46 in June 2012 from £17.00 in January 2012, while average spend on quick service dining fell from £9.60 to £7.29.
When it comes to choosing where to eat out, food quality is the most common important factor mentioned (by 78% of respondents), with price the second most common important factor (72%). Interestingly, pub restaurants now account for 19% of eating out occasions – up from 18% six months ago: clearly, they are meeting both the quality and price criteria.
Horizons’ director of services, Paul Backman commented:
“It is surprising, given the difficult economy and the fact that retail spending remains low, that the respondents to our survey are still eating out on a regular basis, and in fact more regularly. Pub restaurants and takeaways are the most popular choices, perhaps as diners downgrade from more expensive establishments.
“We expect the quick service and takeaway sector to receive a significant boost over the next few weeks with the start of the London Olympics, as people stay at home to watch the events and order a takeaway or food delivery.
“The fact average spend has fallen is evidence of continued cost cutting – forgoing a course, ordering a glass of wine instead of a bottle, or opting for a sharing dish. The amount of discounting in the sector has also driven down average spend. Pub restaurants, and the large chains in particular, have also been very successful in reducing their prices to improve footfall. Average spend in pub restaurants has fallen from £15.80 in January 2012 to £13.28 in June 2012.”
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