Now Reading: Indians eating out more in groups, solo dining declines
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Indians eating out more in groups, solo dining declines
The share of out-of-home food and beverage consumption by groups of five or more has risen to 43% from 34% two years ago, according to a Kantar report covered by Economic Times.…
The Story in Brief
The share of out-of-home food and beverage consumption by groups of five or more has risen to 43% from 34% two years ago, according to a Kantar report covered by Economic Times. Solo consumption fell to 23% from 29% over the same period, while overall packaged food and beverage volumes dropped 8.6% in the last year.
Healthier snacks, drinks and sports beverages are among faster-growing categories, with companies like Danone focusing on unmet nutritional needs. The shift suggests consumers are becoming more selective about eating out, not cutting it out entirely. Solo visits remain more frequent, but groups drive volume through multi-pack purchases.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that Indians are eating out less overlooks a more nuanced trend: they are eating out differently. The 8.6% volume drop may alarm companies, but the shift to larger groups and healthier choices suggests a maturing market, not a retreat. The real question is whether this selectivity will squeeze margins or open new opportunities for brands that cater to collective, health-conscious occasions. Next year's data will show if this is a lasting change or a passing phase.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
