Contract catering sales up by 15%

Contract caterers’ sales in the third quarter of 2023 were 15% ahead of the same period in 2022, the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ and Bidfood has revealed. It continues catering’s strong recovery from the pandemic, when sales were decimated by lockdowns and widespread working from home. However, it marks a slowing of growth from the year-on-year figures of 30% and 18% in the first two quarters of this year. 

Comparisons also softened in the private sector, from 20% growth in the second quarter to 13% in the third. The number of outlets served by contract caterers slipped by 4% and remains well below pre-Covid levels. 

Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA for CGA by NIQ, said: “After the disruption of lockdowns and a drawn-out return of staff to workplaces, contract caterers’ trading is settling down into new post-Covid patterns. While the third quarter saw a slowdown in growth and a small drop in venues, underlying demand for contract caterers’ services in both the private and sector remains strong.” 

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, added: “It’s encouraging that contract catering sales continue to remain strong and continue to climb. This is a good indication that demand for the sector has returned positively as the economy settles into new working patterns.”

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