More than a quarter of hospitality businesses report stock shortages

More than a quarter of hospitality businesses have seen stock levels drop below normal as the supply chain crisis continues, new figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports accommodation and foodservice firms are among the worst hit, with 27% facing shortages between 26 July and 8 August.

Some 9% of hospitality businesses said they were unable to get the goods or services needed while 11% had to change suppliers or find alternative solutions to missing products.

Across all industries, 7% of firms reported they were not able to get the materials, goods or services they required from within the UK during the two-week period. This included 5.8% of those in manufacturing, 15% in construction and 10% of companies either in the wholesale and retail trade or dealing in the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Staff shortages across the supply chain have been creating chaos for hospitality and foodservice businesses, with some unable to open kitchens due to a lack of ingredients.

Last week Nando’s was forced to close around 50 restaurants and lend 70 of its team members to short-staffed suppliers after a lack of produce meant it was unable to trade. All sites have since reopened but the chicken chain is continuing to share staff with suppliers.

Bottled drinks and milkshakes are currently off the menu in McDonald’s restaurants in England, Scotland and Wales and Greggs has said it is seeing ‘temporary interruptions’ in the supply of some ingredients.

The problems are being exacerbated by a shortfall of around 70,000 trained HGV drivers, meaning many suppliers are unable to get products to operators on schedule.

Purchasing firms have told The Caterer shortages are expected to last for several months up and that processed chicken and potato products are a particular issue.

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