Eating out has become a
way of life for Aussie families, with many people preferring to dine out rather
than cook at home, but have tighter economic conditions had an effect on our
spending habits for dining out? We have examined
trends in the dining out, fast food markets and considered the change
in habits over evolving economic conditions and how we compare to the rest of
the world.
The dining out and fast food
market has grown significantly in Australia in the last 20 years, with
household expenditure levels trending upwards and little evidence that the
demand for dining out and takeaway has suffered adverse effects from the
economic downturn. Demand for meals out and fast food has been primarily driven
by current social economic trends such as the increase in the number of women
in the workforce, time constraints and the need for more on-the-go meals.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009-10 Household
Expenditure Survey, Australians spent almost $63 on meals out of the home, on average
per week, equating to 5.1% of their total weekly household expenditure and a
significant 30.8% of their total weekly food expenditure. The proportion of
total income that Australians spend on dining out and fast food has risen
consistently from 3.5% in 1988-89 to 4.8% in 2003/04 and 5.1% at the time of
the 2009/10 survey, reflecting consumers’ desire to ‘live the good life’,
regardless of economic conditions.
Recent studies in the United
Kingdom suggest that the economic downturn is responsible for a rise in the
consumption of takeaway foods, and a decline in frequenting restaurants, with
consumers ‘downgrading’ from more expensive restaurant meals. Interestingly, this
has not been the case in Australia, with the Household Expenditure Survey
reporting an increase in the proportion of expenditure spent on meals at
restaurants, hotels and clubs, while the proportion spent on fast food and
takeaway has declined. The 1998-09 HES reported that 43.2% of meals out were
spent at restaurants, while 56.1% was spent on fast food and takeaway. By
2009-10, the proportion of restaurant meals had increased markedly, comprising
50.8%, while fast food and takeaway decreased to comprise 48.4%.
More recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Retail
Turnover data also illustrates the decline in the takeaway food market, with a
negative growth in reported turnover for 2011, in comparison to 2010. The
‘specialised food’ sub-category achieved the healthiest growth in turnover at
5.5%, with supermarkets and grocery stores achieving 3.8% and cafes,
restaurants & catering services recording an increase of 3.0%. The rise in
revenue for specialised food, which includes fresh meat, fish, poultry, fruit
& vegetables has been underpinned by an increase in disposable incomes and
a shift in consumer tastes and preferences towards a healthier lifestyle. The
rise in disposable incomes has also underpinned the shift in consumption of
takeaway food to the rise in cafe and restaurant patronage, particularly in
light of the perception that socialising and enjoyment are an important part of
the Aussie lifestyle.
Taking a look at takeaway food
and dining out trends around the world, Australia is currently comparable to
the USA’s 2010 meals out and fast food expenditure of 5.2%. Japan demonstrates a
lower proportion of income spent on eating out, with its 2008 Family Income and
Expenditure Survey reporting a dining out expenditure of 3.7%, equating to
23.1% of total food expenditure. Singapore, on the other hand, reported a significantly
larger 2007/08 expenditure on food serving services (restaurants, fast food,
food courts and other catering services) of 13.5%, which can be attributed to
an economy which has largely recovered from the recession and a population
which strive convenience and enjoy a high disposable income.
Whatever the development trends may have us believe, I don't think we are quite ready to give up our kitchens yet, however, it would appear that demand for quality, convenience alternatives will continue to be on the rise to meet our demands for fresh, healthy but do-it-for me cooking!
