DThe turnover of hotels, restaurants and cafes increased by 2017 percent in the third quarter of 1,2 compared to the previous quarter. This is apparent from the Horeca Quarterly Monitor presented by Statistics Netherlands on 30 November. The volume - the number of drinks and overnight stays - increased by 0,6 percent. All-in-all a good third quarter in 2017 for the hospitality industry.
Robèr Willemsen, chairman of KHN: “Just like in the first and second quarter, we also see positive figures in the hospitality industry in the third quarter. Our members benefit from the favorable economic climate and the fact that people are consuming more in the Dutch catering industry. I am happy with that. But we also see that the costs of catering companies are increasing, partly due to the rising commissions that must be paid for search, book and delivery platforms such as Booking.com and Thuisbezorgd.nl. As a result, the margins of many catering companies are under pressure. Because a higher turnover does not mean that a company also makes more profit. Moreover, we see that growth is leveling off again. Something to keep in mind in the near future.”
Fast service turnover rises fastest
Within the hospitality industry, many industries performed well in the third quarter of 2017. We see the highest turnover growth at fast service companies. This is in line with the trend that people opt for convenience and speed and have food delivered more often. The turnover of fast food restaurants is still the strongest at 1,9 percent. Restaurants turned over 1,8 percent more. The turnover of cafes, including eateries and coffee bars, increased by 0,9 percent. Hotels converted as much as in the previous quarter.
Margins under pressure
Many new hospitality businesses are still being added: 750 new businesses in the third quarter of 2017, even more than the 500 new businesses that were added in the second quarter. In addition, it is clear that costs are rising: higher rents and beer prices and rising commissions that online platforms charge restaurants and fast-service companies for, among other things, the delivery of meals. If a catering entrepreneur pays too high commissions to an online platform, while he receives the same amount for the meal that is delivered, this will of course be at the expense of his margin/profit.
KHN's commitment: sufficient employees and a level playing field
KHN is therefore committed to a level playing field for the catering industry and wants to prevent an excessive position of power in search, book and delivery sites. To this end, they are in consultation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and with politicians. In addition, they are working on solutions for shortages in the labor market. The number of filled vacancies remained the same this quarter, but because so many extra employees are needed, catering entrepreneurs will have to make an effort to retain employees. This can be done by properly inducting employees, training them and offering them sufficient rest. But as far as KHN is concerned, this also includes less rigid government legislation and regulations. So that catering entrepreneurs run fewer employer risks if they hire an employee on a permanent basis.
Via KHN and CBS
