USA spends more on eating out

By Angela Jameson

It will take the UK 25 years to catch up with the USA in its spending on eating out, says a report into the future of the UK catering sector.

Spending on eating out in the USA now accounts for more than half the total amount spent on food, says Catering Forecasts 1997, published last week by catering analysts Marketpower. In contrast, the UK spends just 29% of its total food expenditure on eating out.

The UK eating-out market is currently worth £19.6b according to Marketpower, and is growing at between 0.5% and 1% a year. By 2001 the catering market is expected to be worth £21.6b.

Non-traditional outlets, where catering is ancillary to the main activity, are forecast to grow - including pubs, travel and leisure. Marketpower expects the UK catering sector to grow along the lines of the USA market as pubs become more food-orientated and kiosks and carts push eating out into hitherto "desert" areas.

The blurring of catering and retail markets will also accelerate change along US lines. This is due to retailers responding to catering as a threat to their sector.

Marketpower predicts that retailers will install high-street catering brands within their outlets and will invest in home meal replacement - cooked food taken home to eat - and home delivery from stores.

Catering Forecasts 1997, by Marketpower, costs £650 plus VAT. Tel: 0181-840 5252.