Consumers spending more, going out more and staying out later

Average consumer spend, frequency and duration of late nights out have increased compared to last year.

This is according to late night operator the Deltic Group, which has 53 clubs and bars throughout the UK and whose Deltic Night Index is a quarterly report that tracks consumer habits relating to the UK's night time economy.

Average consumer spend in the first quarter of this year rose 15.5% to £68.68, up from £59.49 around the same period last year. This was driven by an 11.7% increase in spend on food (£16.20), a 10.3% increase on in-venue drinks spend (£19.25) and a 32.1% increase in transport spend (£12.02).

As well as spending more, consumers are also going out slightly more often and staying out for slightly longer compared to last year. 58.1% of consumers go on a night out at least once a week, up from 53.9% in the previous quarter, and the average night out is now four hours and 35 minutes (up from four hours and 28 minutes in the last quarter of 2018).

Looking at consumer attitudes to their local area, the data found respondents feel very positively about their local town or city, and the quantity and quality of leisure options available.

The provision of typical evening leisure/activities (including cinemas and restaurants) was even more popular, with 57.4% citing it as good or amazing. Again, younger respondents (aged 18-21) were more positive here, with almost seven in 10 (69.0%) agreeing. More than half (50.7%) would rate their local area good or amazing for night time leisure/activities, a figure which rises to 53.1% when looking at those aged 18-55.

Peter Marks, chief executive of the Deltic Group, said: "Given the ongoing pressures facing the UK's retail and leisure industries, it is fantastic - and perhaps surprising - to see that so many Brits feel this positively about their local towns and cities, and the leisure offerings within them.

"If anything, it seems that consumers are looking for even more variety, demonstrating just how important it is for operators to work together with local governments and other stakeholders to enrich our towns and cities by providing a great round-the-clock offer for people to enjoy."

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