XN000022-1996-03-28 — Page 20

19 -

Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases

The value of total receipts for the restaurant sector in the fourth quarter of 1995, estimated at $13.4 billion, increased by 6% compared with the same quarter in 1994, according to the provisional statistics released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

After discounting the effect of price changes over the period, total receipts showed virtually no change in volume terms. Following declines for six consecutive quarters, restaurant business seemed to have bottomed out more recently. The value of total purchases of restaurants, estimated at $4.8 billion, increased by 5%.

Among the different types of restaurants, the total receipts of bars and Chinese restaurants rose by 9% and 6% respectively in value. In volume terms, they increased by 4% and 1% respectively. The total receipts of fast food shops recorded an increase of 9% in value, but showed virtually no growth in volume.

Meanwhile, the total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 3% in value but decreased by 4% in volume. On the other hand, receipts of miscellaneous eating and drinking places recorded a decrease of 7% in value and 13% in volume, due to a high comparison base in the fourth quarter of 1994, when increases of 37% in value and 21% in volume were registered.

Comparing with the preceding quarter, and bearing in mind that the comparison is affected by seasonal factors, total restaurant receipts in the fourth quarter of 1995 increased by 1% in value, but showed virtually no change in volume.

For the year 1995 as a whole, total restaurant receipts estimated at $52.4 billion, increased by 5% compared with 1994. In volume terms, the receipts decreased by 2%. The value of total purchases of restaurants increased to $18.8 billion, by 5%.

The largest growth in total receipts in 1995 was recorded for miscellaneous eating and drinking places and bars, by 14% and 13% respectively in value, and by 5% and 8% respectively in volume.

Likewise, the total receipts of fast food shops increased notably, by 10% in value and 3% in volume.

Meanwhile, the total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants and Chinese restaurants increased by 5% and 3% respectively in value but decreased by 2% and 4% respectively in volume.

Page 20Page 21