Dining out ‘under pressure’ as Britons cut back due to price rises, says YouGov | Hospitality industry

According to YouGov data, more than half of British restaurant customers say rising prices are the main reason they are eating out less; It shows that 38% of people overall are visiting restaurants and other dining venues less than they did a year ago.

According to the survey, 63 percent of those cutting back cite high costs as the main reason they are eating out less. Despite this crisis, more than two in five people still choose to eat out at least once a month, while 8% of people say they never do.

Inflation in the UK remained unchanged at 3.8% last month, surprising expectations for a rise; That’s welcome news for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who plans her critical budget next month.

But inflation is still well above the government’s 2 percent target and cost-driven behavior is on the rise. Almost half of British restaurant customers say they have changed their food choices to save money. Three-fifths of them say they prefer cheaper restaurants, and 52% say they order fewer items, YouGov finds.

Sarika Rana, director of consumer research at the survey and market research firm, said dining out was “under pressure”. He added: “Six in 10 consumers say they eat out at least once a month, but around 38% of diners say they are doing so less than a year ago, citing rising costs. This represents an opportunity for more affordable dining options. 59% of Brits who have changed their dining preferences say they are opting for cheaper restaurants.”

Sainsbury’s recently launched Taste the Difference Discovery, which the supermarket chain says offers restaurant-quality food that people can eat at home. The new collection is designed to meet the growing demand for premium food, as customers increasingly eat at home and look for new ways to treat themselves at home. The range of more than 50 items includes British wagyu, Aberdeen Angus beef and modern Indian prepared meals with carefully selected wines and spirits.

Meanwhile, food entrepreneur Charlie Bigham recently launched a range of luxury ready meals priced at up to £29.95 in some Waitrose branches.

Due to rising operating costs and consumer wariness, some restaurants are struggling to survive. Pizza Hut announced this week it would close 68 of its restaurants, putting up to 1,200 jobs at risk after the company behind its UK restaurants went into administration. Eleven delivery-only sites will also be closed.

In July, the hospitality industry trade body said data showed it was the hardest hit sector since the budget, accounting for 45% of all job losses. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The change to employer NICs in particular was socially regressive and had a disproportionate impact on entry-level jobs.”

The YouGov survey found that 79% of British restaurant customers believe restaurant prices have increased in the past year, and baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are most likely to notice the change.

Social media is the leading way for consumers to find restaurant deals, especially among younger restaurant-goers. A survey of 2,000 people in Great Britain found that 36% of people heard restaurant promotions this way.