VIDEO | Italgrob-Censis report: for one Italian in six inflation is over 20%

14 million Italians have had to give up going to places outside their homes one or more times

ROME – In 2023 one in two Italians (48.9%) gave up “once or more times a year” breakfast at a bar or restaurant meal “due to inflation”. There are 14 millionaccording to an Italgrob-Censis survey: a large portion of the population convinced “that in Italy inflation is galloping above 20%”.

Italgrob is the Italian Federation of Horeca distributors, the only national association of reference for the distribution sector in the Horeca channel, acronym for hotel, restaurant and caf, which feeds the ‘away from home’ consumption circuit.

From the third Italgrob-Censis report, presented in the Chapter Room of the Senate, emerges that for 83.4% of Italians the presence of places where they can meet is important for their well-being, butdue to inflation 14 million Italians gave up going away from home during the year.

The study highlights the importance of conviviality, as a primary need and desire of people and as a decisive component of collective well-being.

Not penalizing the eating out supply chain is a good choice for the economy and for enhancing Italian diversity and a higher quality of collective life, which is also much appreciated abroad.

The results of the research certify that the presence of places where you can meet and be together, such as squares or public places, is important for Italians, not only for their own subjective well-being, but also for the quality of collective life.

However, for eating out to have its beneficial effects it must be sustainable for businesses and with prices of its goods and services accessible to consumers.

In the last year, inflation has rationed Italians’ desire to go out from home. It is essential that the commitment of the players in the supply chain, starting with Horeca Distribution, is therefore accompanied by interventions to support consumer demand and businesses.

As can be seen from the report, if 83.4% of Italians consider the presence of places where they can meet and be together important for their well-being, 90.9% of Italians consider them fundamental for the quality of collective life.

Furthermore, for 93.7% these places make an area more livable, be it a neighborhood of a city, a historic center or a smaller municipality.

For 90.8% of Italians, places of relationality, such as those outside the home, are vital as they preserve a plus of Italian society such as conviviality.

An opinion shared by 89.4% of residents in the North-West, 91.2% in the North-East, 90.5% in the Center and 91.9% in the South and Islands.

72.5% of Italians are convinced that being a society with many meeting and conviviality places means being less exposed to conflict and violence, while 87% believe that being able to meet in physical places accustomed to accepting people with different ideas.

87% of Italians say that owners and managers of premises have a social responsibility to promote good relationships, including a peaceful coexistence between customers and residents. 81.6% of young people, 84.7% of adults and 94.3% of elderly people think so.

According to the report, 1 in 6 Italians are convinced that inflation in Italy is galloping above 20%, while for 55.8% it is destined to increase in the coming months. Precisely due to inflation, 14 million Italians during the year had to give up one or more times going to eating out places.

Among the reasons: rising prices, cutting expenses, lower financial resources, preference for conviviality at home. However, the desire to go out is very strong among Italians, with 60.7% wanting to be able to go more to restaurants, bars, wine bars and trattorias in the coming months.

For Antonio Portaccio, Italgrob president, “with the third report ‘Away from home makes Italy better’ we wanted to highlight the extraordinary value of the away from home consumption market and highlight the precious role of the Food & Beverage distributor.

For Italians, living consumption experiences outside the home means sharing, cultural exchange, relationships with family and friends and allows them to strengthen social ties, while at the same time encouraging the preservation of traditions and innovation in food sector.

I would also like to underline howthe entire eating out sector, including distribution, is moving with more conviction towards sustainable and ethical practices, demonstrating greater responsibility of the Ho.Re distributor category .Ca. towards the environment and local communities. We are aware that through these behaviors it is possible to build a more united and inclusive society, where the gesture of eating and drinking outside the home makes Italy better”.