The UK lunch out-of-home (OOH) market faces a double-edged sword. This rising cost of living continues to squeeze consumer spending, with a 5 percentage point year-on-year decline in takeaway purchases.
Stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your business with Mintel’s UK Attitudes towards Lunch Out-of-Home Market Report 2024. Our full report is packed with consumer-led market intelligence, the latest trends and consumer behaviours affecting out-of-home lunchtime occasions. Get a 360° view of the lunchtime food industry including market size, share and forecasted growth to help you align your business strategy with the needs of your audience.
Below, we’ve handpicked the key insights analysed in the full report and summarised the core topics.
The UK lunch out-of-home (OOH) market faces a double-edged sword; rising cost of living continues to squeeze consumer spending, which is coupled with a year-on-year decline in takeaway purchases. This shift is further evidenced by a drop in supermarket grab-and-go options, indicating a move away from convenience-driven lunches.
Amidst the cost of living crisis, there is potential for recovery. The key lies in understanding the importance of value-for-money. For instance, weekday lunch decisions are driven by affordability. To remain competitive against cheaper alternatives, like homemade lunches, foodservice operators need to keep prices as low as possible.
Weekday lunch out-of-home is evolving to cater to health-conscious workers, presenting an opportunity for brands to offer healthier menus with a focus on gut health and fresh produce. Clear communication of health benefits can establish these brands as top choices for busy professionals seeking feel-good lunches.
Readers of this report may also be interested in our UK Eating Out Market Report 2024, or our range of Foodservice Market Research.
Trish Caddy currently writes a range of UK foodservice reports and has been called upon by some of UK’s leading media to comment on key insights and trends shaping the UK eating-out market. Prior to joining Mintel, Trish worked as a chef in London.
Lunch decisions are influenced by affordability due to the economic squeeze. Foodservice must adapt pricing strategies to attract budget-conscious consumers.
Trish Caddy
Associate Director – Foodservice
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