Author: Mintel Group Ltd.
Last saved by: HTTP server

Alcohol in Restaurants - UK - April 2011
Introduction
 
Consumer confidence is low and there is an increased focus on saving and paying down debt. However, whilst consumers are more reluctant to ‘splash out’, they continue to prioritise ‘experiences’ when they do, with eating out tapping into this demand.

Value for money is more important to consumers than low cost and this is reflected in their drinks choice in restaurants. However, the majority of diners are habitual drinkers, placing the emphasis on operators themselves to actively demonstrate the added value of alternative products to consumers.

This report examines the factors impacting the eating out market and influencing diners’ drinks choice, as well as finding out what diners would like to see on restaurants’ drinks menus in future.

Definition
The intentions of this report are to highlight the main trends currently driving consumer choices in beverage consumption in the eating out market, for instance it in part looks at the recession and the effects on drinks menu development. This is not meant to be an exhaustive catalogue relating to drinks menu planning; instead it is intended to explore some of the major issues affecting the direction of drinking habits within the eating out market in general, using a selection of examples chosen to highlight particular issues in practical application.

Consumer research
In addition to quantitative consumer research, Mintel also conducted an online discussion group among a demographically mixed group of around 15 consumers. 

This discussion group was asynchronous (ie not run in real time), functioning like a blog or bulletin board, with questions remaining posted for a pre-determined period of time. This method allows participants to respond reflectively, at their leisure, or to log off to think about any issues raised, and return later to respond.

Participants were recruited from Toluna’s online consumer panel.

Abbreviations
ABV | Alcohol By Volume
BBPA | British Beer and Pub Association
BHA | British Hospitality Association
BYO | Bring Your Own
CAMRA | The Campaign for Real Ale
MSP | Member of the Scottish Parliament
RTD | Ready-to-drink
TGI | Target Group Index. For further details concerning this information, including data regarding readership patterns of users/purchasers and details of brands, please contact Daniel Flynn (Daniel.flynn@kantarmedia.com 020 8433 4081) at Kantar Media
VAT | Value Added Tax
VII | Volume Importance Index
WSTA | The Wine and Spirit Trade Association

This report is supplied in accordance with Mintel's terms and conditions.  
© Mintel Group Ltd.