Increase in Restaurant and Café Spending Reaches New High
The average Austrian, from newborns to the elderly, has an annual disposable income of €27,000, with about €4,990 (or 18%) allocated to food, reported market research firm RegioData on Wednesday. A notable trend shows a growing share of these food expenses directed toward dining out. “Currently, 37% of food spending goes to restaurants and cafés – a record high,” RegioData noted, adding that further growth in this area is expected.
Looking back, Austrians have consistently spent a stable share of their budgets on groceries over the years, while overall food expenditures have risen. “The focus has shifted: more is spent on dining out, while retail spending has essentially stagnated,” RegioData stated in a press release.
On average, Austrians now spend around €1,515 per year on dining out, with the majority going to traditional venues such as taverns, restaurants, and sausage stands – totaling about €1,200. Another €200 is spent on cafés, pastry shops, and ice cream parlors, with the remaining amount going to catering services, delivery, and similar options.
Online Food Sales Remain Low Despite E-commerce Boom
Despite the growth of e-commerce across many sectors, the online share of the grocery market in Austria remains low compared to other industries. In 2022, online grocery sales accounted for only about 2.8% of the total market, and RegioData predicts that even in 2024, online sales will likely stay below 3%. This figure includes sales from both domestic and international online retailers as well as internet sales from traditional physical stores.
