Healthy lifestyles are transforming the way consumers eat out, while hospitality is facing a post-Brexit crisis in recruitment.
Those are among the key findings of the third edition of Future Shock, the exclusive series of insights into the UK’s eating and drinking out sectors from CGA the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), which has recently re-branded as UKHospitality following a merger with the British Hospitality Association.
Health issues are having a significant impact on the market too, with three in five out-of-home diners saying they proactively try to lead a healthy lifestyle. Research showing falling alcohol consumption and rising demand for soft drinks highlights the need to cater for health-conscious consumers, and young urban people in particular.
The report identifies several challenges facing the out-of-home eating and drinking out markets, including rising property and people costs, and warns of a looming crisis in staffing as a result of Brexit. With non-British nationals accounting for nearly a quarter of employees in hospitality and tourism — rising to nearly two thirds in London — operators will be closely watching the outcome of Brexit negotiations and planning strategies to improve their recruitment and retention.
Future Shock draws on CGA’s extensive research to provide a host more facts, figures and analysis casting light on out-of-home eating and drinking, including:
- A 14.9% increase in Britain’s food-led licensed premises in the last five years, to around 45,500
- 47% of British consumers now eating out at least once a week
- 45.5% of pubs and bars’ sales now derived from food
Jamie Campbell, business unit director at CGA, said: “This is a time of huge change in out-of-home eating and drinking, and our latest edition of Future Shock spotlights three of the most pressing issues: technology, health and Brexit. Understanding these and the many other trends uncovered by CGA’s research is going to be crucial for all operators in the months and years ahead.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality said: “This has been a very busy year for the sector, with battles on business rates, Living Wage, lease reform, apprenticeship levy and the sugar tax. In the battle for share of voice within government, insight, intelligence and information are king, and that is why the Future Shock series is so important.”
Future Shock also includes reflections on the 25th anniversary of the ALMR from industry leaders who have been instrumental in its growth, including CGA’s Peter Martin, Mitchells & Butlers’ Bob Ivell, Beds and Bars’ Keith Knowles and the Foundation Group’s Peter Salussolia. Knowles says: “Until the ALMR, there was no natural home for multiple licensed retailers. It has been vital in representing the interests of businesses like mine, and the way it has grown has been phenomenal.”
About CGA:
CGA is the data and research consultancy of choice for the out-of-home food and drinks market, specialising in market measurement, consumer research and location planning.
What sets CGA apart is its unique ability to access the three key types of data (supply, demand and consumer) and then triangulate this data to provide the most complete and accurate picture of anyone in the out-of-home sector.
From its offices in Manchester, United Kingdom, and Chicago, United States, CGA experts work with many of the world’s biggest consumer brands, including drinks manufacturers, consumer brand owners, food suppliers and wholesalers as well as pub, bar and restaurant retailers and government entities.
Founded in 1992, CGA’s mission is to use its phenomenal data and expert insight of the leisure industry to give these brands the competitive edge, and get them where they want to be, faster. To learn more, visit: www.cga.co.uk.
About UKHospitality (formerly the ALMR)
UKHospitality is the new trade body representing the UK’s hospitality sector, established following a merger between the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA). UKHospitality is the authoritative voice for over 700 companies, 65,000 venues and 2.9 million workers in the hospitality sector. The body speaks on behalf of a wide range of leisure and ‘out-of-home’ businesses, from FTSE 100 enterprises to niche groups and independent single-site operators
For the first time, the sector had a single voice bringing together businesses from all aspects of hospitality; coffee shops, hotels, serviced apartments, pubs, restaurants, leisure parks, nightclubs, contract caterers, entertainment, stadia and visitor attractions. Engaging with government, the media and the public, UKHospitality works to develop a robust case on how to unlock the industry’s full potential as the biggest engine for growth in the economy and ensure that the industry’s needs are effectively represented.
