France: Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional
For the first time in ten years, sales in the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) sector in France decreased by 0.3 percent with estimated sales at $106.10 billion. Also, and for the third year in a row, the average meal expense decreased in 2014 to $10.76 (8.82 euros), while the number of meals served continued to increase. This is explained by the shift of consumers to lower-cost meals and snack alternatives, such as fast food outlets, coffee shops, food trucks and carry-out chains. It also reflects changes in snacking habits and a preference for cheap, fast but healthy meals. This is increasing pressure on traditional and independent restaurants and cafes that are loosing price-conscious consumers.
