Pandemic continues to dampen restaurant activity, as receipts drop 8.8%

Total receipts for the first quarter have been estimated at $19.7b.

The value of total receipts of the restaurant sector decreased by 8.8% year-on-year to around $19.7b in the first quarter of the year, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) has reported.

Total purchases by restaurants also saw a decline of 8% to $6.4b over the same period.

“Business improved successively in February and March from the difficult situation in January as the fourth wave of the local epidemic receded,” a government spokesman said.

“Yet, total restaurant receipts in March was still sizably lower than the levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The value of total receipts decreased 38.7% in January; offset by 10.1% and 20.7% in February and March, respectively.

The spokesman noted restaurant activity will continue to face challenges in the near term as local job and income situation is under pressure, whilst tourism is still in doldrums.

“It is essential for the community to work together to keep the epidemic under control and to actively participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, so as to lay a more solid foundation for the revival of consumer-facing activities and international travel,” the spokesman said.

The C&SD, further, reported that total receipts of Chinese restaurants dropped by 18.3% in value and 18.2% in volume; whereas, non-Chinese restaurants decreased by 1.3% in value and 0.2% in volume.

Moreover, Total receipts of fast-food shops decreased by 4.9% in value and 5.9% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 74.7% in value and 73.2% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 5.4% in value and 4.1% in volume.