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Nightclub trade shrinking as younger people stay at home instead
Nightclub trade shrinking as younger people stay at home instead

Yahoo

time27-05-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Nightclub trade shrinking as younger people stay at home instead

The UK's late-night economy is facing a downturn as younger generations increasingly opt for social media and home deliveries over traditional nights out, according to the head of one of Britain's largest pub and bar operators. While the hospitality sector anticipates a boost from the upcoming bank holiday weekend, family-oriented occasions like Mother's Day and Easter have been the primary drivers of increased footfall for many chains. Mitchells & Butlers, the group behind restaurant, pub, and bar chains including Toby Carvery, Harvester, All Bar One, Nicholson's, and Miller & Carter, has taken a different approach to other hospitality firms. Chief executive Phil Urban stated that the company will not seek expansion in the late-night market due to the significant challenges it presents. "The toughest part of the market right now is late night," Mr Urban told the PA news agency. He added, expressing relief at the company's limited exposure to the struggling sector: "We're certainly not exposed like pure, late-night operators are, so we're quite thankful for that." Last week, Marston's, which operates around 1,300 pubs across the UK, reported a rise in customers attributed to such events, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences. The company has also invested in a new sports pub concept to tap into the expanding market for sports-focused venues. Mr Urban said younger people were straying from previous generations who would be more inclined to 'go out late night and stay out'. 'I think social media means that you don't have to do that to stay in touch with your friends,' he told PA. The booming takeaway and home delivery market was also having an influence, he suggested, adding: 'People are often meeting beforehand to have something to eat, having a few drinks at home, before going out. 'So, those pure late-night, club operators, have certainly got a smaller market. 'We wouldn't go back into that sort of club market, it's not for us, because I do think it's going to take a long while to reverse – if it does.' He said all the company's brands were 'doing well', but that its Irish pub and bar chain O'Neill's was 'probably having the toughest time' due to its exposure to the night-time industry. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Marketplace Battle Heats Up: Trust, Convenience and Choice Key as Pricing Pressures Grow
Marketplace Battle Heats Up: Trust, Convenience and Choice Key as Pricing Pressures Grow

Yahoo

time22-05-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Marketplace Battle Heats Up: Trust, Convenience and Choice Key as Pricing Pressures Grow

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An exclusive Australian study by global ecommerce accelerator, Pattern, has shown that product range, convenience, and trustworthiness will be critical battlegrounds for online marketplaces in 2025. With international tariffs reshaping marketplace business models, platforms like Temu and Shein, once known for ultra-cheap products, are now raising their prices. In some markets, the cost of goods such as health and beauty products has surged by 51%. "The days of marketplaces winning Australian consumers with ultra-cheap pricing alone are over. Although leading platforms like Amazon will continue to attract shoppers with competitive pricing, consumers are now making purchasing decisions based on factors like credibility, product variety and ease-of-shopping," said Merline McGregor, Managing Director for Pattern Australia. Convenience Drives Loyalty Australians are increasingly choosing marketplaces that offer greater convenience. Amazon continues to set the benchmark, with 57% of shoppers rating it as the most convenient platform for purchasing goods, driven by its streamlined ordering process, fast shipping options, and integrated returns experience. While Shein and Temu have experienced rapid growth in overall shopper awareness, their convenience ratings are significantly lower at 14% and 27%, respectively. This gap highlights a critical challenge for emerging platforms: while aggressive marketing and discounting can attract first-time buyers, delivering a seamless, reliable shopping experience is crucial to securing repeat business. "Convenience is more than just speed of delivery, it's about every touchpoint of the shopping experience, extending from intuitive search functions to reliable customer service and simple returns," said McGregor. "Australian brands selling on marketplaces that deliver frictionless shopping experiences are more likely to secure both the first purchase and increase their chances of building customer loyalty." Trustworthiness and Reliability Build Customer Relationships As price advantages decline, product quality and reliable return processes are key differentiators for marketplaces. Amazon leads in both areas, with 60% of Australian shoppers trusting it for product quality and 53% for reliable returns. eBay also performs strongly, earning trust from 42% of shoppers, while Kogan lags at 16% and MyDeal at just 9%. Chinese marketplaces, Temu and Shein face even greater challenges, with only 12% and 11% of consumers expressing confidence in the quality of the products they sell. "In an increasingly competitive and regulated environment, trust is not an aspiration. Marketplaces must consistently deliver quality products, backed by hassle-free returns to build enduring customer relationships," said McGregor. "We've seen a positive improvement in returns processes for all marketplaces, with only 3% of Australian consumers stating they do not trust any marketplace for reliable returns. This is a huge drop from 18% in 2024 and shows that all platforms are prioritising improving the customer experience in this critical area." Amazon, eBay and Temu Win with Product Variety Amazon is recognised by 60% of shoppers as having the widest variety of inventory in Australia across categories such as electronics, home & kitchen and sporting goods. eBay also retains a strong position, with 45% of consumers recognising its broad range, particularly in the second-hand and collectible markets. Only 32% of shoppers believe Temu offers the widest product range, yet the number of consumers visiting the platform for its vast product range has surged 87% since 2024. "A broad and evolving product range is proving key for marketplaces to retain and grow their shopper base. Consumers are moving towards platforms that offer a one-stop-shop experience, and marketplaces that can deliver this effectively across multiple categories have a clear competitive edge," concluded McGregor. For more information and to download the full report please click here: '2025 Marketplace Consumer Report' View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pattern Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

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