Scots consumers spent more in the pub in 2013 than in the previous year according to new figures from Zolfo Cooper. The figures show that Scots spent 5% more in pubs last year than in 2012, with spending per person rising to £908 from £859 on average. While Scottish restaurants saw a 32% increase in 2013 with spending leaping up to £566 from £427. However, right across the UK, the late night market is suffering. Spending dropped by 32% in this sector down £801 to £543.
The Zolfo Cooper’s Leisure Wallet report also examines consumer behaviour across the licensed trade in the UK and reports that females spend half has much as men in pubs, and in fact their spend over the year declined.
The good news is that Scots are visiting bars and restaurants more often. In 2012 they made on average 3.9 visits per month while in 2013 that had increased to 4.7 times per month. Visits to restaurants increased to 3.9 times per month compared to 2.8 visits from the previous year.
There was also a massive drop in the average annual spend of 18-34 year olds who spent only £528 in 2013 a 42% drop from £907 the previous year. The 18-34 age group are also using late night venues as often – figures show a marked decline down from 2.7 visits per month to 1.7 visits per month last year.
The good news for licensees in the late night market though is that the 35-54 market has shown a significant increase in late night spending. They spent 49% more in 2013, spending £718 compared to £480 in 2012. The same age group are also visiting the late night trade more often, with 2 visits per month in 2013 compared with 1.7 in 2012.
The female market also show a significant downturn across the UK, in a trend that will no doubt worry licensees. Women spent almost half of what men did in pubs across the UK in 2013, with women spending only £504 compared with a spend of £1000 for men. Not only this, women spent less in restaurants than they did previously, £420 from £439 in 2012.
In general, the report shows that women are spending less per year in pubs, restaurants and late night venues. Spending in restaurants in Scotland is on the rise amongst every age demographic (18-34’s, 35-54’s and 55+) with the 35-54 age group spending more across all markets, pubs, restaurants and late night venues.
The traditional view of the late night venue being the haven of the younger crowds is being bucked as their spend goes down whilst the older customers are spending more. What is undeniable, given the figures, is that licensees need to do more to capture the female market who clearly need more encouragement to pass their pound across the bar than their male counterparts. Late night venues have saw their consumers spend less on average in all but one demographic. Food for thought?