American consumers aren’t feeling particularly jolly heading into the holiday shopping season this year with more than one-third (35 per cent) of American consumers across all income levels expecting to spend less, according to new research from The Nielsen Company. With an economy in turmoil, only six per cent expect to spend more and fifty per cent of consumers surveyed expect to spend the same amount as last year during the holiday shopping season. Fortunately, the Australian economy in... ...Read more »
The NPD Group, a leading market research company, has released the 23rd Annual Report on Eating Patterns in America, which discovers that consumers are eating more at home but not significantly cutting back on restaurant meals. “This is a time of high anxiety for food marketers. It’s clear that what Americans say they are doing to deal with rising food prices is not always what they are really doing,” commented Harry Balzer, vice president and chief industry analyst at NPD, and... ...Read more »
As talk of economic turmoil continues to dominate media reports, food industry participants can’t help but feel it is only a matter of time before the downturn impacts on them - if it hasn’t already. However, in the case of economic conditions, it is important to remember that ‘what goes down must go up’. The impact on the food industry is fortunately softened by the fact that everyone still needs food, but some areas are still likely to suffer. Over the course of the next two... ...Read more »
More and more American consumers are now turning toward the supermarket aisles for quick dinner options at the expense of fast-food restaurants. Three out of five consumers (62 per cent) who report purchasing more supermarket prepared meals than a year ago, are doing so instead of purchasing from fast-food restaurants, according to a new report from American foodservice consultants Technomic. The survey of more than 1,500 American consumers found that family-style and casual-dining restaurants were... ...Read more »
Peasants Feast Restaurant (Newton, Sydney) has again been recognised as one of just a few accredited organic restaurants around Australia by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA). With organic popularity on the rise, restaurants and cafes nation-wide are working to incorporate more organic ingredients into chemically-conscious meals, but few give the assurance of an organic logo on the menu. An exception is Dr. Robert Warlow, founder of Peasant’s Feast, who began the challenge of maintaining... ...Read more »
Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday signed new legislation making California the first American state to have its restaurant chains with 20 or more locations statewide post calorie information on menus and indoor menu boards for consumers. Similar legislation was introduced earlier this year in New York City. “This legislation will help Californians make more informed, healthier choices by making calorie information easily accessible at thousands of restaurants throughout our... ...Read more »
Chadstone Shopping Centre, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres - often referred to as ‘The Fashion Capital’, is set to open their much anticipated Fresh Food Precinct before the end of the month. Gourmet food retailers, supermarkets, liquor outlets, cafés and restaurants will all feature in the new precinct. Stephen DeWaele, Centre Manager, believes that the precinct will set the benchmark for Australian shopping centres.”We will be bringing a level and quality of... ...Read more »
A recent survey by American foodservice consultants Technomic revealed that a substantial number of consumers consistently turn to restaurants and food retailers to fill the stomachs of their guests when hosting parties and other social events in their homes. More than one in three respondents reported that they’ve ordered meals or platters for meetings, parties, and social occasions, with 79 per cent reporting that these purchases were for personal social occasions rather than work-related... ...Read more »
The Federal Workplace Ombudsman has announced a national campaign targeting the hospitality industry. Hotels, restaurants, taverns, bars and clubs throughout Australia will be randomly audited to ensure workers are being properly paid, with the three-month long campaign to begin next week. Workplace inspectors in all states and territories will be checking to ensure compliance with: • Rates of pay (including casual rates and minimum rates) • Penalty loadings (weekend, late nights) • Allowances •... ...Read more »
New research released by Seafish, the authority on seafood in the UK, has revealed that sushi is now an established lunchtime favourite. Sales of sushi are up 21% year on year, with the total UK sushi market now worth £38.9 million per annum. The raw fish trade is booming in ‘western’ countries worldwide, with health benefits and an increased consumer desire for something different assisting the trend. The love affair with sushi has been noticeable here in Australia, with a host of... ...Read more »