Key findings: P6420 - Food and beverages, March 2009

The total income generated by the food and beverages industry for the first quarter of 2009 increased by 1,8% compared to the first quarter of 2008. This was due to an increase of 4,3% in income from food sales. This increase was partially offset by decreases of 16,9% in income from bar sales and 7,8% in other income. Total income for March 2009 decreased by 5,3% compared to March 2008, the first negative year-on-year growth since the start of this survey.

The 1,8% increase in total income for the first quarter of 2009 compared with the first quarter of 2008 was mainly due to increases reported by takeaway and fast-food outlets (8,1%) and restaurants and coffee shops (1,0%). There were decreases of 16,6% and 1,3% in other catering services and caterers respectively.