Blog | Hospitality + Grocery Insight Experts

Christmas 2020 in hospitality

November 13, 2020

Consumers expectations for Christmas 2020 Take a look at our latest research showing what consumers would consider purchasing this Christmas. We looked at how the status of their local restaurants and pubs is likely to impact their behaviour during Christmas 2020 in hospitality? You can download the full infographic here. Or read more about our … Read More

Re-opening hospitality – again

November 11, 2020

Well, who would’ve thought that “Christmas” would become only the THIRD most contentious ‘C-word’ in 2020? But here we are, preparing for re-opening hospitality, again. Here’s the bad news… For the last 18 months of weekly tracking by YouGov, Britain’s mood has primarily been “apathetic”. This all changed in March, when “fear” took over. Last … Read More

Changing beer drinking habits

November 11, 2020

Lockdown is changing the longer-term habits of beer enthusiasts New research shows that beer enthusiasts are more open to trying new and different beers than ever. 91% having tried a beer that they’d never consumed before in the last two months alone. Beer drinking habits are changing. Feedback from 800+ craft & modern beer consumers … Read More

Hospitality customers accept ‘new normal’

November 9, 2020

Lockdown hits just as customers accept hospitality’s ‘new normal’ The latest Customer Sentiment Tracker from Feed It Back and KAM Media found that lockdown is hitting us just as things seemed to be heading towards a “normal” level with regards to hospitality customer sentiment. Based on feedback from 89,825 customers via the Feed It Back … Read More

Diversification in pubs

October 29, 2020

Whether in tier 1, 2 or 3, the immediate future remains uncertain for England’s pubs. New restrictions, including the 10pm curfew and bans on households mixing indoors, provide yet further challenges for pubs. They also exacerbate the traditional challenges that pubs face and have faced for many years; how to drive more (and new) footfall … Read More

Technology in hospitality

October 22, 2020

I have a total of 8 different hospitality apps on my phone. All downloaded and used to varying degrees over the last few months. It therefore came as no great surprise when KAM’s most recent research revealed that more than 1-in-2 customers are now getting a little peeved at having to download a new app … Read More

Technology-led hospitality experience

October 13, 2020

Consumer demand grows for a technology-led hospitality experience Our latest research exposes an accelerated customer demand for a technology-led hospitality experience, with the expectation of a pay-at-table app growing. This comes as Government restrictions introduce mandatory table service for much of hospitality. The research, which forms part of a free white paper, investigates what customers … Read More

Introducing pub desks

October 12, 2020

10am could be the new 10pm in hospitality, with pub desks It won’t have escaped anyone’s attention that the new 10pm curfew has come as another huge blow for the hospitality industry. The government keep commenting of the loss of “an hour” of opening times, but for many operators it’s a lot more than that. … Read More

10pm hospitality curfew

September 23, 2020

UK public are not convinced hospitality curfew will make a difference A snap poll carried out by KAM Media identified that a significant proportion of the English public remain unconvinced that the new 10pm hospitality curfew will deliver on its promise to help curb the spread of Covid-19. 47% think the new 10pm curfew will … Read More

Predictions for Convenience

September 10, 2020

Predictions for UK Convenience Predictions of future behaviours or future economic growth and development can be a fool’s game. Many an hour spent in economics lectures at University would testify to that. You can model previous trends and calculate the most likely outcomes, but one thing always seems to get in the way – life. … Read More

Hospitality industry NPS

September 8, 2020

NPS bounces back after EOTHO The hospitality industry NPS (net promoter score) has bounced back to record levels following the end of the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme. This is according to this week’s Customer Sentiment Tracker from Feed It Back and KAM Media. For the first time since re-opening the industry’s NPS score … Read More

Getting back to the office

August 18, 2020

It’s been almost 5 months since the UK lockdown was announced. Since then many retail and hospitality businesses have closed and re-opened and staff have returned to their place of work. For many office-based employees their return to work remains in limbo as they continue to work from home. According to recent data from ONS, … Read More

Customer satisfaction in hospitality

August 3, 2020

Customer satisfaction in hospitality remains strong with a consistent 95% feeling confident enough to return. But the growing customer base are still looking for improvements, according to this week’s Customer Sentiment Tracker from Feed It Back and KAM Media. Net promoter score remains strong According to 7,395 customers who visited a hospitality venue in last … Read More

Masks in hospitality

July 27, 2020

Masks are rising on customers’ agenda Overall customer confidence in health and hygiene remains strong within hospitality, with little change since re-opening weekend- 95% of those who visited a hospitality venue this week feel confident enough to return. Despite this, the Customer Sentiment Tracker from Feed It Back and KAM Media found that the use … Read More

The new ‘Big Night In’

July 21, 2020

The ‘Big Night In’ reimagined The lockdown may have been designed to keep us apart but in many respects, it has bought us closer together. Nights out down the pub were replaced with nights in, in front of a screen. Catch-ups, quizzes, birthday parties, dates and even weddings have been taking place online as Britain’s … Read More

New breed of beer enthusiasts

July 21, 2020

A new breed of beer enthusiast emerges from lockdown Three months spent in lockdown has significantly shifted the way many are consuming beer, according to our new survey of 2,364 beer enthusiasts in collaboration with Brew//LDN. The research was supported by BrewTapp, Kegstar and Fleet St Communications. During lockdown, respondents have been drinking beer more … Read More

2020 hospitality consumer trends

July 21, 2020

As we know all too well, many industries have suffered during this pandemic, but the effect on the UK hospitality industry has been heart breaking to watch. KAM carried out research back in April and found that 66% of operators did not think they could survive if lockdown measures continued for a further three months. … Read More

NPS in hospitality

July 21, 2020

Hospitality NPS (net promoter scores) are soaring NPS in hospitality is soaring according to this week’s Customer Sentiment Tracker from Feed It Back and KAM Media. Following feedback from those who visited hospitality venues this weekend, the overall industry net promoter score sits at 63. This is well above pre-lockdown levels (58). The rise in … Read More

Customer sentiment in hospitality

July 14, 2020

New customer sentiment tracker starts strong We’re delighted to have joined forces with guest feedback platform, Feed it Back to offer hospitality operators easy access to customer sentiment KPI’s in these critical first few week and months of re-opening. The tracker uses data captured via the Feed it back platform including an overall NPS for hospitality … Read More

Hospitality re-opens

July 7, 2020

Hospitality re-opens to mixed feelings “Super Saturday” has now been and gone. The hospitality industry is reflecting on how the “big re-opening” has played out. An impressive 28% of UK adults visited a pub or restaurant over re-opening weekend. A further 17% plan to visit in the next week, according to new research from KAM. … Read More

Return of the pub

June 11, 2020

Return of the Pub – What to expect when pubs re-open. KAM’s brand-new research study – Return of the Pub – is designed to understand the future behaviours and attitudes of UK pub customers when pubs re-open. Feedback from 1,000+ pub customers has revealed that many can’t wait to get back to the pub when … Read More

Retaining new customers

May 18, 2020

No1 priority for convenience retail: retaining new customers There is no shortage of predictions, advice, insights about what the ‘new normal’ or ‘life post lockdown’ might look like. At KAM we’ve had some absolutely fascinating interviews with a range of convenience experts over the last few weeks, as part of the Convenience Talks series. Many … Read More

Distancing in restaurants

May 15, 2020

Inspiring solutions for social distancing in restaurants – it IS possible! The very idea of ‘social distancing’ people in restaurants seems to go against everything that they are about. Operators have worked hard to increase the number of customer interactions that they have with their guests, and now, in order to protect them and their … Read More

The new normal for retail

May 4, 2020

What is the ‘new normal’ for food and grocery retail? Last week, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated that the UK must find a ‘new normal’ to ease lockdown. Ultimately meaning that social distancing will remain for some time following on from any loosening of the current restrictions. We’re all aware how much the world has … Read More

Convenience post lockdown

May 4, 2020

Massive price war predicted for convenience retail post-lockdown Convenience retail consultant, Scott Annan, founder of the Independent Retailer Owners Forum, has made several eye-opening predictions, in an interview with KAM Media. The interview is part of Consumer Talks, a series of 10 minute interviews with convenience industry thought-leaders focusing on how to survive and thrive … Read More

Hospitality in lockdown

April 22, 2020

Two-thirds of hospitality businesses say they will not survive another three months of lockdown KAM has found that two thirds of hospitality companies believe they will not survive a prolonged lockdown without further far-reaching support from government. The vast majority believe a significant break or ‘holiday’ from rent obligations is required. The study involved 211 … Read More

Pubs support communities

April 8, 2020

Pubs continue to support their communities during lockdown As the nation’s pub lockdown ends its second week, pubs across the country continue to step up to help their local communities. Many of them have turned their businesses into village stores, offering vital supplies for collection or delivery, while others are providing hot meals to people … Read More

The post-corona consumer

April 7, 2020

“When all this is over”, an overused phrase if ever there was one, what can we expect from the post-corona consumer? At first we’re likely to experience a period of unleashed consumption which has been suppressed for months in isolation and lockdown. When consumer spending returns to normal, it’s unlikely that behaviour will revert back … Read More

Pubs rise to the challenge

March 30, 2020

UK Pubs are rising to the challenge of corona Well another week (yes, it’s only been a week, sorry) has passed by and our current situation is still ever-changing. Pubs, bars and restaurants may be closed, but they’re still managing to be at the centre of the communities that they have served so brilliantly right … Read More

Social distancing in stores

March 27, 2020

How can stores get social distancing right From a distance there is harmony and it echoes through the land. It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace, it’s the voice of every man. I will never question the wisdom of Bette Midler again, as she may just be a prophet for our troubled … Read More

Message from KAM

March 24, 2020

A message to our clients and friends in hospitality We are thinking of each and everyone of you during this devastating time. Our hearts go out to hospitality employers and employees during this uncertainty. We want to support you and the wider industry wherever possible. For the period of the outbreak, please see us as … Read More

UK Convenience and Corona

March 19, 2020

Some press are reporting that, convenience stores are now the backbone of our communities. They’ve been there all along, my friend. For those of us close to the industry, who work in or with convenience retailers, and the millions of shoppers who regularly rely on their local convenience store, it will come as no surprise … Read More

Corona and Hospitality

March 19, 2020

Well, where to start? The hospitality industry is in dire straits – you don’t need me to tell you that. I’ve spent the last five days on countless calls with people who run businesses in our industry and those that work in them, it’s been both depressing and uplifting in equal measure. There has never … Read More

Alcohol-free drinking

February 12, 2020

Alcohol-free drinking occasions are on the rise In celebration of the launch of our low and no research report, we’ve spoken to a number of industry experts to gain different perspectives into the low and no opportunity. Here we get the perspective of the bar operator. All Bar One have led the way in satisfying … Read More

Low and no beer at home

February 6, 2020

Low and No alcohol – the ‘at home’ perspective In celebration of the launch of our low and no research report, we’ve spoken to a number of industry experts to gain different perspectives into the low and no opportunity. These include alcohol free spirits brands, low and no beer brands, retailers and on-trade operators. In … Read More

Alcohol free spirits

February 6, 2020

Low and No alcohol – the brand perspective As part of our focus on low and no, we’re sharing a series of interviews with industry experts giving a different perspective on the growth in low and no drinks. We’ll be hearing from alcohol free spirits brands, low and no beer brands, retailers and on-trade operators. … Read More

Low and no research

January 24, 2020

1-in-4 pub visits are non-alcoholic, according to new customer research According to our brand new low and no customer research, 25% of pubs visits now don’t include alcohol. With the predicted increase in non-alcoholic visits, 2-in-3 licensees are asking for support to help them maximise the growing opportunity. Our research is based on feedback from 1,000 … Read More

Generation Z have arrived!

November 20, 2019

No generation is more influential than Generation Z By 2020 Generation Z will represent 20% of the UK work force. If you search the internet there are a lot of insights and trends about Generation Z; some based on facts and some…not. One thing’s for sure though, a lot of people are talking about them, … Read More

Low and No alcohol

November 1, 2019

Low and no alcohol beverages are a growing trend, worldwide. In a short space of time the value of the ‘low & no’ category has grown rapidly. In the off-trade, in the past year, £43 million was spent on low and no alcohol beer. Sales of low and no alcohol beer in the on-trade are … Read More

Social media for indie retail

October 11, 2019

Everybody loves a social media statistic, right? We know that a lot of people use social media. There are approximately 3.5 billion active social media users in the world at present (Oct 2019). Hard to fathom the scale of this? Well this is equal to the TOTAL amount of people who were alive on the … Read More

CBD infused drinks

September 30, 2019

The acronym ‘CBD’ is everywhere as we enter the last months of 2019. A recent article in The Guardian estimates that 1.3 million UK Consumers are currently spending £300m a year on CBD products. Just this week, I attended the WSTA conference, where CBD drinks, and other products, were discussed at length. Meanwhile, Muhu, the UK’s first … Read More

Winning in technology

September 27, 2019

Technology is data. The world is full of data. Every action that you do is data. Every word you speak is a data. You walk, you dance, you speak, you sleep, you study, everything is data. But how can you be winning in technology within the convenience sector? Earlier this week I had the privilege of … Read More

Staff insights: Never forget!

September 20, 2019

Sometimes it’s easier to forget about staff insights and to focus solely on the customer. I carried out research for a leading FMCG supplier some years ago. They wanted customer insights as they were spending significant amounts designing and developing new, high impact POS (point of sale) for retailers to use in store, and wanted … Read More

Pub Charity

September 6, 2019

Firstly, congratulations to all the shortlisted and winning pubs at last night’s GBPAs. I hope there are many sore heads and smiling faces throughout the industry this morning! Speaking of smiling faces, this week I had the pleasure of meeting with the pub charity organisation, PubAid. We discussed the mammoth amount of work that pubs all … Read More

Remote working

September 2, 2019

This blog was written by Jack Ronayne, a student of Warwick University, studying Economics. Jack spent 2 weeks interning at KAM Media during the summer in-between his 1st and 2nd years of studies. Remote working is on the increase in the UK as people try to find better work-life balances and employers seek to create … Read More

Zoning within pubs

August 27, 2019

Zoning within pubs is nothing new. After all, back in the olden days we had the most basic of area separation in smoking/non-smoking areas. But as time passes, we’re getting better at it. When executed well, it can help a pub to meet that magical demand of being all things to all people. This week … Read More

Healthy snacking

August 16, 2019

We are officially a nation that loves to snack, there are apparently more than 19 billion snacking opportunities in the UK per year, and more than two-thirds of consumers snack at least five times a week (Kantar). The healthy snacking bar market is now worth £365m and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.95% … Read More

Customer experience

August 12, 2019

When customer experience goes bad. Sounds like a show that Gordon Ramsey should be presenting on ITV3. In all honesty I would rather face a barrage of expletives and spittle in my face from Mr Angry than have to revisit this experience. The bar I had the displeasure of visiting was located in Gerrard Street, London. … Read More

Ninth Life

August 2, 2019

A pub experience at the Ninth Life in Catford is the cat’s whiskers. Katy Moses, Managing Director I had the pleasure of visiting Ninth Life in Catford this week, on recommendation from a friend in the industry. I say ‘pleasure’ because I had a delicious lunch with said friend, and it’s only 12 minutes from … Read More

Value of customer insight

July 31, 2019

Realising the true value of customer insight. Why knowing your customers is more important than them being right or wrong. Blake Gladman, Strategy & Insight Director It’s never been a better time to be a start-up in the food and drink industry. The smaller and more nimble brands are better placed to steal share from … Read More

Alcohol free pub

July 26, 2019

Pub customers drunk on virtue. Alcohol-free pub pop-up, Clean Vic, by Sainsbury’s, pulls in the crowds. Katy Moses, MD & Founder This week I paid a visit to the Clean Vic, the Holborn-located alcohol-free pub created by Sainsbury’s. Yes, Sainsbury’s the supermarket. Usually The Old Crown, The Clean Vic has what you would expect from … Read More

Coffee trends in convenience

July 11, 2019

Wake up and smell the coffee. Why coffee trends in convenience are growing but still fall behind the growth of other independent outlets. The opportunity exists but is the channel grabbing it with both hands? Blake Gladman, Strategy & Insight Director It will come as no surprise to anyone that coffee is big business. I … Read More

Hospitality and retail blogs

Opinion and insight on the latest trends, news and innovations within hospitality and grocery retail.

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