NEWS
Festive focus
CREATING MEMORABLE MOMENTS One of the macro trends, report the drinks brand, Fentimans (who commissioned a Fentimans Market Report 2022 in conjunction with CGA) has shown that creating memorable moments is increasingly important to the consumer. Periods of isolation during lockdowns have given consumers time to question their use of time with family and friends, and for many, the answer has been in experiences – having occasions that remind us of the pleasures of life – they report. Across the hospitality industry, this trend is manifesting itself in an increase of consumers going out more frequently, and spending more, in a bid to increase their socialisation after months of isolation. With further restrictions unlikely, or lessened, for the festive season this is particularly important 18 CAFÉ LIFE | DECEMBER 2021
as more people will be gathering to celebrate with one another for the first time in nearly two years, point out Fentimans, whose research shows three in five consumers will be treating themselves post-lockdown, and will seek to spend more of the money they have saved during lockdowns. This provides hospitality venues, and cafés in particular, with the perfect opportunity to promote their premium drinks range, feel the brand - having consumers who are willing to spend more this Christmas season will undoubtedly fuel the trend for premiumisation that we have seen in recent years, and means cafés can maximise on drink and food trade-ups. BECOMING MORE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS Running in parallel to this trend is an increased desire for ‘better living’ amongst consumers. For obvious
The response to Covid-19 an d the impact of the multiple lockdowns ha s led many to think afres h about their health, the en vironment, an d the time they spend with friends and fa mily. With last Christmas be ing halted du e to Covid restr ictions, it’s lik ely that this festi ve period will see consumers m aking up for lo st time, but wha t will this mea n for hospitality venues?
reasons, the Covid-19 pandemic has led many consumers to reconsider their health as the pandemic has gone on. This sharpening focus on health has major implications for the drinking-out sector. Firstly, there is an increase in consumers opting for no-and-low drink options. In fact, their research shows that nearly a third of consumers said they will drink less or no alcohol in the on premise environment, for example, report Fentimans. Secondly, there is increased demand for healthier drinks, either with reduced sugar, or with health-boosting ingredients such as Kombucha. This in turn means that venues need to accommodate for the growing number of health-conscious drinks and so it’s more important than ever this Christmas that cafés have a wide range of no-andlow festive drinks, as well as healthy soft drink options.
