MAGAZINE
As we enter autumn, the overall economic outlook looks almost as gloomy as it does for the beleaguered bunch charged with running it. The UK inflation rate for August may have stuck at 3.8% – the same as for July – but the figure for food continues to surge, growing at an annual rate of 5.1%.
Looking at our sector specifically, there was much better news, however, in the form of CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality’s latest Contract Catering Tracker. Covering the second quarter of 2025, it found that sales from April to June rose by 8% year-on-year. With this figure having been 9.5% in the previous quarter, contract catering has officially outperformed most other sectors of hospitality.
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, commented: “These impressive numbers are important as costs continue to bite, and I know that contract caterers are continuing to feel the impact of increased costs. It’s critical we see action from the government to reduce costs at the budget this autumn to support contract caterers and stop the sector being taxed out.”
Also on the horizon is our eight annual StrEATfood Awards, which will be held at Big Penny Social in north London on 7th October. If you would fancy an evening of free food and drinks, please go to streatfoodawards.co.uk – or check back next month when we will, of course, bring you all dishes and winners.
