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Thu 22nd Aug 2024 - Soft drinks surge as Generation Z drives moderation revolution |
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Soft drinks surge as Generation Z drives moderation revolution: The on premise is witnessing a marked decrease in alcohol consumption across the globe, a shift evident in the UK, with a -23pp net decrease, resulting in a growing appetite for soft drink options, according to CGA by NIQ’s OPUS data. Among the legal drinking age (LDA) to 24-year-old demographic, almost a third (30%) report drinking less than they did a year ago, with 13% completely abstaining from alcohol. This demographic is also more health-conscious, with three quarters striving to lead a healthier lifestyle (74%) and actively seeking to make environmentally conscious choices (73%). However, this reduction in alcohol intake has not negatively impacted younger consumers’ engagement with the on premise sector, with 86% of LDA-24 year old consumers having visited the on premise in the last three months and 60% going out weekly (over-indexing by +17pp versus the average for all GB consumers). Despite the growing preference for non-alcoholic drinks, the total soft drinks sales performance has remained flat. Although certain segments are showing promise, with a +8% year-on-year (YOY) value increase in bars and bar restaurants and a +2.7% YOY value growth in hotels. This data indicates untapped potential for soft drinks during higher tempo occasions, especially among younger consumers who are increasingly adopting ‘zebra striping’ – alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night. In fact, 18-24-year-olds are more likely to choose soft drinks in a bar or late-night setting, over-indexing by +6pp versus the average consumer. In terms of consumer preferences when it comes to soft drinks, the focus on fizz remains intact, holding half (49%) of the market share despite health trends bolstering the rate of sale for sport drinks, water plus and juice drinks. This effervescent outlook is driven by consumer desire for value for money and the increased consumption of fizzy drinks among 18-24-year-olds, with almost a third (30%) reporting they are drinking more carbonated soft drinks than a year ago. CGA client director Violetta Njunina said: “As moderation becomes a key trend, particularly among younger generations, the ability to offer appealing, high-quality and health-conscious soft drinks is crucial for success. Suppliers who tap into these insights and align their strategies are better positioned to lead in this new era of beverage consumption.”
Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality to be released tomorrow featuring 878 companies: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club members tomorrow (Friday, 23 August) at midday. The database now features 878 companies and more than 237,000 words of content. The database will feature 85 updated entries and seven new companies. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including the Talent and Training Conference (1 October), Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025) and Excellence in Pub Retail (May 2025). Operators that are Premium Club members are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club members receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club members will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club members also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.
Young Europeans could be allowed to come and live and work in the UK once more: Ministers are prepared to allow young Europeans to come and live and work in Britain as part of a wider reset of relations with Brussels after Brexit. Labour has repeatedly insisted that it has “no plans” to agree a youth mobility scheme that could give young citizens of EU members states the right to work in the UK for the first time since Brexit. But government sources have told The Times that ministers privately recognised that they would have to “give ground” on the issue as their opposition would be a stumbling block to a broader reset of relations. The move could see EU nationals under the age of 30 being allowed to live and work in the UK for up to three years, with a reciprocal arrangement for UK citizens. “No one will say it publicly at this stage but there is an acknowledgement that this is an area where we will need to move,” said a government source. “If we are serious about resetting relations with the EU then we need to be prepared to give them some of the things that they want,” they added. Another source said that while the government had not “proposed any plans” for a youth mobility scheme, they were prepared to “listen to what the EU had to say on the issue”. However they added that this could not be a return to free movement of people. “That is the red line,” they said. Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, in the coming weeks, but formal negotiations are unlikely to begin until late autumn at the latest when new commissioners are in place. Polling suggests a move to allow young Europeans to come and work in the UK for a time would be popular with the public. A survey this week by More in Common found 58% of voters would back such a scheme and only 10% were opposed. Only 17% of leave voters thought it was a bad idea and 49% supported it. A government spokesman said: “We are not considering an EU-wide youth mobility scheme and there will be no return to freedom of movement.”
Jason Atherton admits he is ‘terrified’ ahead of opening three restaurants over the next three months: Chef Jason Atherton admits he is “terrified” ahead of opening three restaurants over the next three months – on top of the two he opened in the past four weeks. He told The Times the restaurants have been in the pipeline for several years but various delays have meant they’ve all come together. “I’m literally terrified,” he said. “This is a massive risk for us. Financially, emotionally, my whole reputation is on the line. And if we don’t deliver over the next four months, there’ll be a lot of people out there who will say, ‘I told you so. Maybe he wasn’t as good as he thought he was.’” Stronger than the fear, though, is Atherton’s belief that if you get the offering right, it’s not all doom and gloom for the industry. “Restaurant owners just have to accept that they need to work harder,” he said. “The days when if you had a successful restaurant, you made so much money you needed a counting machine to count it, those days are gone. Pre-pandemic, I predicted that people would stop going to all of these Michelin-star restaurants and want something a little bit more honest, a little bit more affordable, on a regular basis. And I think that’s definitely the future.” He added: “Fine dining will always exist. But I think if people are going to go for that, they want something much more than just a three-course meal with snacks, a pre-dessert and some petit fours. They want you to blow their socks off, and I want to see how far I can go. I’m not just doing it because I want to make more money. I’m doing it because I think it’s what people want. As long as we can survive and we can pay the wages and we can make a few quid along the way, I’m good with that.”
McDonald’s slashes the prices of several of its most popular drinks: McDonald’s has slashed the prices of several of its most popular drinks. Guests can grab an Americano or white coffee from the fast-food chain in the UK for just £1.39 from today. They can also enjoy a latte, cappuccino or flat white for just £1.99, or a toffee latte for £2.29. Available for a limited time only from September 4 will be a new Twix latte for £2.69. Also returning to the menu this autumn is the £5.29 Philly Cheese Stack and the £4.79 Chicken Big Mac, as well as Mozzarella Dippers at £2.39 a portion.
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