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CGA reveals top trends for Great Britain’s eating and drinking out sector

2nd Jan 2020 - 09:18
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Abstract
CGA, the global food and drink research consultancy, has released a list of ten trends we’re likely to see in the eating and drinking out sector for 2020.

One of the key trends for 2020 is predicted to be sustainability coming to the fore. According to CGA’s BrandTrack 50% of consumers are expecting outlets to reduce their carbon footprint through 'menu engineering' and commodity use. CGA predicts pubs, bars and restaurants will continue to make ‘big moves’ to deliver a more sustainable product as we move into the new decade. 

According to CGA vegan and new cuisines are on the rise. CGA’s Food Insights report shows that 29% of consumers think it is important or very important that the meals they choose contain less meat, while restaurants and pubs are adding more vegan dishes to their menus.  

There is predicted to be an ongoing growth for gin as sales in this category have increased more than eight-fold to £392m in the 12 months to mid-May. Jonny Jones, director of client services at CGA, said: “There is no end in sight to the remarkable revival of gin sales. From value brands to artisan distilleries the category is booming, to the point where consumers now drink gin out-of-home more often than vodka.”

The Foodservice Price Index has revealed high levels of inflation in many key food and drink items throughout 2019. Overall, inflation was between five and 10% due to a weak sterling pushing up the price of imported food, poor weather hampering crops and a host of other supply factors. 

Top ten trends for 2020: 

  • More restaurant churn but confidence edging up: There have been 2,423 restaurant closes in the last 12 months with 1,789 new openings. 
  • Drinking less, but spending more: Younger consumers are drinking less with 57% of millennials drinking alcohol at least weekly. 
  • Sustainability comes to the fore: Of ‘business leaders’ 76% rate ethical engagement of suppliers as an important consideration. 
  • New tech cocktails: An estimated 10.3 million consumers are enjoying cocktails when they go out making them one of Britain’s fastest growing drink categories. 
  • Rum- a scalable opportunity: The average outlet is stocking 5% more rum brands than they did last year. 
  • Vegan and new cuisines on the rise: Some of the new cuisines for 2020 include Burmese, Peruvian and Filipino. 
  • Experiences and Instagramability: 84% of consumers will upload photos on social media of their night out.
  • Ongoing growth for gin: There are around 5.1 million consumers who consume pink gin. 
  • Moderation: Alcohol free ‘mocktails’ have been thriving. 
  • Volatility in food prices: According to CGA prices are likely to remain volatile until brexit is resolved. 
Written by
Edward Waddell