Is the economic slowdown affecting Israelis' eating habits? A survey by Shiluv Millward Brown, covering a representative sample of 500 people, suggests that it is. The survey was carried out for "Globes" and Keshet to coincide with the new Master Chef series on Channel 2 television. More than half of the respondents (53%) said that, because of the economic situation in the past year, they had changed their behavior as far as eating out in restaurants and cafes was concerned. 32% eat out less often; 14% have switched to cooking at home; and 6% simply order cheaper items from the menu.
The declining trend in eating out is most prominent among those with average income and below (60%, compared with 37% among those with higher than average income), and those with secondary education only (65%, compared with 44% among those with higher education). There was little difference between women and men. The survey relates to meals taken in restaurants and cafes during working hours as well as in leisure time.
87% of the respondents said they eat in restaurants and cafes. 17% do so once a week; 15% once every two or three weeks; 18% once a month. Only 3%, mainly in the 18-22 age group, say that they eat in a cafe or restaurant almost daily. 13% of those who do eat out say that the pleasure is reserved for special events.
According to the zaprest website, the average price of a gourmet meal is NIS 140 per person. The average price of a casual meal is NIS 80 per person; while a fast food meal averages NIS 40-50 per person.
A third of the respondents to the survey said that they would like to eat out more but that the cost was more than they could afford. A quarter said that meals in restaurants and cafes were not good value for money, and so they eat out less often than they would like. Only a third of those who regularly eat out said that prices were fair and reasonable.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 31, 2012
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