Café visits favoured over drinks at the pub in Australia, survey finds
The number of Australians who visit cafés for a quick caffeine fix is on the rise, whereas visiting a local pub to enjoy a drink is becoming less popular over time, according to new research by Australian research company Roy Morgan Research.
Roy Morgan’s ‘State of the Nation’ report outlines the findings of a survey of 18,641 Australians (aged over 14 years old) between January 2011 and December 2011.
A total of 55 per cent of those surveyed said they had been to a café for coffee or tea in the previous three month period, up from 48.4 per cent in a similar survey undertaken in March 2003.
According to the survey results, other activities that have risen in popularity include visiting a licensed restaurant (52.7 per cent, up from 49.9 per cent in 2003) and going to a pub or hotel for a meal (41.2 per cent, up from 37.4 per cent in 2003).
Visiting a pub becoming less popular in Australia
According to the Roy Morgan survey findings, both visiting a pub or hotel for a drink (23.3 per cent, down from 28.6 per cent in 2003) and visiting a ‘bring your own alcohol’ restaurant (23.3 per cent, down from 26.4 per cent in 2003) have both declined.
Fast food slight slowdown
Other reductions, albeit more gradual, were in eating at a fast food restaurant (47.1 per cent, down from 48.7 per cent in 2003) and ordering takeaway from a fast food outlet (57.8 per cent, down from 58.9 per cent in 2003).
Commenting on the findings, Roy Morgan Research’s Norman Morris said, “The biggest proportional changes were seen in those visiting a café for a coffee or tea, which rose 6.6 percentage points in just under nine years, and visiting a pub or hotel for a drink which has dropped 5.3 percentage points over the same period.
“Fast food and takeaway have experienced a drop off since 2003, however these have been very slight and recent trends suggest these activities are now holding steady. With the ease, taste and convenience of fast food and takeaway, they will always likely hold a significant degree of popularity among consumers,” Mr Morris said.
