Average eating-out spend increases at pubs as restrictions ease

02-Sep-2021 - Last updated on 02-Sep-2021 at 09:04 GMT

Spending rise: data shows increased confidence in on-trade visits (image: Getty/10'000 Hours)

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The average spend per customer on eating out as restrictions have eased has increased by 3.9%, according to the Lumina Intelligence UK Eating Out Market Report 2021.

Its research showed the amount of money spent per person per visit has risen from £9.01 to £9.36 for the 12-week period ending 11 July.

More than half of adults went out to eat or drink in the on-trade during the 12-week period, which reached a peak of 52.2%.

Spending rise

Pubs and bars saw their share of increased customer spending rise from a 3.8% lift in the 12-week period ending 18 April to 12.5% by 11 July while the rise in spend at restaurants went from 9.7% to 11.5%, respectively.

Conversely, quick-service restaurants decreased in channel share by 10 percentage points from 41.3% in April to 30.9% in July. This came as on-premise purchasing was no longer limited to takeaway as lockdown restrictions eased.

Restrictions easing also had a notable impact on delivery and click and collect. Delivery declined in share by 9.8 percentage points and by 5.7 percentage points for click and collect as more consumers ate and drank out of home as consumers gained greater confidence and watched sporting events, including the Euros.

Returning to normality

The report also highlighted more consumers are identifying as non-drinkers (13%), with many choosing to opt for low-to-no alcohol beverages where possible and more identified as flexitarian or vegetarian in the latest quarter (37% in total). A higher proportion also identify as gluten-free and dairy-free (almost 7%).

Lumina Intelligence senior insight manager Katherine Prowse said: “The easing of restrictions has shown signs of consumers returning to normality. Pubs, bars and restaurant are driving participation and spend, with delivery playing less of a pivotal role. This is something we expect to continue to grow, particularly now that all restrictions have eased.

“We are also seeing more spontaneity from consumers. ‘I was out and about (eg, shopping)’ is now the second biggest reason for eating or drinking out. As town and city centres continue to open up, operators should see this as a great opportunity to generate incremental footfall and inspire consumers that may have not been considering eating out.”