Inflation
Our coverage compiles our focused reporting on how inflation is impacting the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from rising ingredient and energy costs to wage pressures, supplier pricing, and menu repricing strategies. We cover the knock-on effects across restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, and catering firms, with expert commentary and operational insight to help owners, operators, and F&B executives respond effectively. Whether you’re managing margins, adjusting procurement, or making pricing decisions, this archive offers clarity on the inflationary forces reshaping the economics of hospitality.
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May- 2022 -18 MayPubs and Bars
Inflation hits 40-year high
UK inflation has hit its highest level in 40 years during the month of April, driven by the rising cost of energy bills. The figure, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), was up from 7% in March. The ONS said that around 75% of…
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12 MayCatering Companies
Cost pressures hit growth for contract caterers despite bounce back
Sales in the contract catering sector remain well below pre-Covid levels as sales are 20% below the figure recorded in the first three months (Q1) of 2019, despite year-on-year increases. According to CGA’s Contract Catering Tracker, caterers now serve around 1,250 fewer units than they did three years ago, and…
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12 MayRestaurants
Various Eateries revenue soars 439% in H1
Various Eateries has welcomed a period of “robust” trading in the half-year ended 3 April 2022. Total group revenue for the period was £17.8m, up 439% year-on-year against £3.3m in H1 FY21, largely driven by new site openings and reflecting fewer restricted periods of trading. While part of the period…
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11 MayBusiness
Compass Group revenues soar to pre-Covid levels
The Compass Group has reported that its revenues increased 37.9% year-on-year from £8.4bn to £11.6bn in the six months ending 31 March 2022 (H1), meaning revenues are at 99% of 2019 figures with its run rate now above pre-Covid levels. Operating profits also surged 134.5% from to £673m, compared to…
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10 MayFood and Drink
Foodservice Price Index hits record high as supply issues mount
Year-on-year inflation in the foodservice sector hit 13.6% in March 2022 due to the impacts of the war on Ukraine on key food commodities, according to CGA and Prestige Purchasing. The figure is the highest in the history of CGA’s Prestige Foodservice Price Index, and continues a surge in prices…
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9 MayFood and Drink
Drinks sales remain above pre-Covid levels for second week
On premise drinks sales held just above pre-Covid levels for the second week in a row in the seven days leading to last Saturday, 30 April, due to a “bright start” to the bank holiday weekend. According to CGA’s Drinks Recovery Tracker, “reasonable” weather at the start of the long…
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5 MayFood and Drink
Domino’s welcomes strong trading in Q1
Domino’s has welcomed a period of strong trading in its first quarter, with like-for-like system sales, excluding splits and the impact of higher VAT, rising 3.9% in the period ended 27 March 2022. Orders grew by 5.5% in the quarter despite a strong comparative, reflecting the “stimulus” to its delivery…
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5 MayNews
BoE raises interest rates to highest level since 2009
The bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates to its highest level since 2009 – marking the fourth time it has taken action since December. The new rate of 1%, up from 0.75%, is the BoE’s latest attempt to curb the rampant rise in inflation – also at its…
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Apr- 2022 -28 AprilFood and Drink
GMB warns of ‘summer beer drought’ as brewery workers support strike
The GMB trade union has warned of a “summer beer drought” after brewery workers voted in favour of strike action. Some 225 GMB members working at BBG’s Samlesbury site which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale, will start an overtime time ban, not engage in training…
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28 AprilFood and Drink
Whitbread brings back dividend as it returns to profitability
Whitbread PLC has reported it has returned to profitability in the 53-week period ended 3 March 2022 (FY22) as it hailed pre-tax profits of £58.2m, compared to a loss of £1bn in FY21. As a result, Whitbread is reinstating dividend payments with the board declaring a final dividend per share…
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