Consumers are now more likely to honour their eating out reservations than they were when venues just re-opened, according to CGA’s latest consumer survey.
Only half of those consumers surveyed that had booked tables in the week beginning 13th July turned up to eat out (53%) but this percentage had risen to 66% by the end of July (week beginning 27th July). Cancellations during this period dropped from 23% to 11%, while no-shows – where consumers don’t cancel their booking or contact the venue – dropped from 24% to 22%.
With pre-booking now becoming a near-essential part of the eating and drinking out experience, and with a high rate of no-shows and cancellations during the first weeks of opening, it’s encouraging to see that far more consumers are turning up to their reserved bookings than previously.
Prominent campaigns, media coverage as well as improving confidence look to have had a positive impact at persuading consumers not to cancel at a time when pubs, bars and restaurants can ill-afford empty tables. Operators still need the number of no-shows to continue to fall moving forward,” commented Charlie Mitchell, CGA research & insight director.
CGA’s consumer Pulse Survey covers over 1,250 consumers over the past four weeks of opening.
