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

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Consumers make an effort for Valentine’s Day 2021
1-in-5 consumers intend to make a bigger effort than normal this Valentine’s Day 2021, especially Generation Z and younger Millennials, according to a new consumer poll. We’ve has teamed up with Toggle to understand consumer intentions for Valentine’s Day 2021. DOWNLOAD FULL INFOGRAPHIC HERE. Yesterday’s consumer poll (13th Jan 2021) found that despite most people … Read More
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2.7m give up on Dry January
Nearly 1-in-4 of those who attempted Dry January 2021 have already given in to temptation. A snap poll carried out yesterday (5/1/21) by KAM Media found that it’s only 5 days into the new year and around 2.7 million people have already given up and consumed alcohol. 30% of UK adults intended to take part … Read More
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What’s next for hospitality?
What’s next for hospitality? At the end of a long and devastating year for hospitality in the UK, Katy Moses, MD of KAM Media, looks at what 2021 could possibly hold for the industry- asking “what’s next for hospitality?” (If you don’t get her weekly blogs you can sign up here.) “As we near the … Read More
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Generation Z want to get out!
Generation Z and hospitality There’s one customer group who have held strong for hospitality throughout the pandemic- almost unshakeable in their support for the industry and their desire to socialise and consume in an environment outside of their own homes. And I’m not talking about the KAM team… Let’s hear it for Generation Z. (To be … Read More
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New Year’s Eve 2020 in hospitality
Consumers expectations for New Year’s Eve 2020 Take a look below at our latest research showing what consumers would consider purchasing this New Years Eve. We looked at how the status of their local restaurants and pubs is likely to impact their behaviour during New Year’s Eve 2020 in hospitality. You can download the full … Read More
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Next step in convenience store home delivery
**Guest Blog** – Taking Convenience store home delivery to a new level We’re delighted to have David Rees, convenience industry commentator and former editor of Convenience Store magazine for over 15 years, write a guest blog on what he sees as one of the biggest opportunities to come out of 2020. Often referred to as … Read More
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Low and No in Convenience stores
Is Low and No really an opportunity in Convenience? In a year where you might assume many will turn to alcohol, the low and no category continues to grow exponentially. Sales of low- and no-alcohol drinks are up 30% year-on-year in the off-trade. According to Nielsen, the category as a whole is now worth £188m … Read More
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Christmas 2020 in hospitality
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
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Re-opening hospitality – again
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
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Changing beer drinking habits
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
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Hospitality customers accept ‘new normal’
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
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Diversification in pubs
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
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Technology in hospitality
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
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Technology-led hospitality experience
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
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Introducing pub desks
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
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10pm hospitality curfew
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
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Predictions for Convenience
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
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Hospitality industry NPS
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
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Getting back to the office
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
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Customer satisfaction in hospitality
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
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Masks in hospitality
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
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The new ‘Big Night In’
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
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New breed of beer enthusiasts
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
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2020 hospitality consumer trends
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
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NPS in hospitality
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
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Customer sentiment in hospitality
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
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Hospitality re-opens
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
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Return of the pub
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
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Retaining new customers
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
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Distancing in restaurants
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
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The new normal for retail
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
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Convenience post lockdown
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
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Hospitality in lockdown
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
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Pubs support communities
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
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The post-corona consumer
“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
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Pubs rise to the challenge
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
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Social distancing in stores
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
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Message from KAM
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
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UK Convenience and Corona
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
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Corona and Hospitality
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
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Alcohol-free drinking
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
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Low and no beer at home
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
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Alcohol free spirits
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
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Low and no research
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
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Generation Z have arrived!
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
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Low and No alcohol
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
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Social media for indie retail
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
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CBD infused drinks
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
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Winning in technology
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
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Staff insights: Never forget!
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
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Pub Charity
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
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Remote working
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
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