Eating out spending fails to match expectations…

Despite the improving economy, people are not rushing to spend on eating out, according to the latest figures from Oxford Retail Data (ORD).

The index on consumer expenditure, compiled exclusively for Caterer, shows that month-on-month growth is similar to that recorded a year ago.

ORD says the increase in average spend per head is lower than expected, given the underlying improvement in the economy.

Although disappointing, the figures show spending is at least heading in the right direction. March 1996 is 3.2% ahead of the same month last year. And the long-term outlook is promising.

The ORD restaurant index allows individual restaurateurs to compare the performance of their outlet month-on-month with that of the industry nationwide. It is an industry benchmark based on a representative sample of restaurant outlets across the country.

The figures are weighted to take account of inflation, with the base figure of 100 reflecting the industry's performance during January 1995.

Details from Oxford Retail Data on 01993 824144.