Singaporeans ate out less in October

Receipts of fast food outlets, food caterers and other eating places dipped in October.

Only restaurants posted month-on-month growth at 1.1%.

The rest dipped as follows: fast food outlets, 0.8%; food caterers, 2.6%; and other eating places, 0.3%; says the Department of Statistics.

As a whole, the Food & Beverage services industry contracted 0.1% in receipts in October compared to September.

The Food & Beverage Services sector though grew year-on-year. "All major segments reported higher turnover in October 2011 compared to the same period in 2010," says the Statistics department.

But charts provided show the October year-on-year growth was lower than September year-on-year growth, suggesting a weakening appetite for outside dining.

"Turnover of fast food outlets and other eating places went up 11.4% and 5.9% respectively while receipts of food caterers and restaurants rose 5.0% and 2.6% respectively in October 2011 over October 2011," says the Statistics department.

In September the equivalent figures were fast food outlets, 12.5%; food other eating places, 6.4%; food caterers, 9.5%; and restaurants 4.5% based on data provided.