UK Hospitality Uniform Market 2022-2028

UK Hospitality Uniform Market 2022-2028

A strong economy and rising consumer purchasing power have been fueling the growth of the UK hospitality industry. As per the CIA World Factbook, the UK, with a population of 67.7 million, is a leading trading power and financial center and the third largest economy in Europe, with one of the highest per capita incomes globally. During COVID-19, the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit sectors; however, it has bounced back to pre-COVID levels since the full reopening of the industry in March 2022. Restrictions, including forced closures, reduced opening hours, and reduced capacity due to social distance requirements, have impacted the hospitality industry. According to UKHospitality, between March 2021 and December 2021, the food service industry lost $143.5 billion worth of sales. COVID-19 resulted in some businesses closing completely, with others changing operations to include takeaways, creating outside eating areas, or offering a delivery service. This resulted in deliveries and takeaways increasing by 138% between January 2021 and January 2022. The UK food service and hospitality industry fully reopened in March 2022, and in recent months, it has experienced sold-out hotels, fully booked restaurants, and an eagerness from the public to enjoy a pre-pandemic lifestyle again. A survey conducted by UKHospitality showed that in March 2022, 70% of consumers felt confident about visiting pubs, bars, and restaurants, compared to 34% in early 2021.

Employment and Consumer Expenditure Scenario

Total consumer expenditure on food, drink, and catering rose by 12.3% in 2021. In 2021, expenditure returned nearly to its 2021 level, after witnessing a fall of 11.3% in 2021 due to COVID-19. Consumer expenditure on catering rose by 39.7% in 2021. Further, the gross value added (GAV) of the UK non-residential catering sector was $34 billion in 2021. Non-residential catering in the UK accounted for 51% of the food sector in Q1 2022. Employment in this sector increased 12.7% from a year earlier, equating to 236,000 jobs. This reflects the growing food services industry, backed by growing employment, which will positively impact market growth. Growing small and medium enterprises in the food and beverage industry is also contributing to market growth. In 2022, there were approximately 8,285 micro, small, and medium enterprises in the food and drink sector, with a turnover of just under $28 billion and 148,000 employees. The growing small and medium enterprises will create job opportunities, hence creating demand for uniformity in the food and beverage industry, attributed to the food hygiene and safety regulations.

Industry Growth Outlook

The UK hospitality uniform market is growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period (2022-2028). The hospitality uniform market size was $440 million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach $762 million in 2028.

Key Market Driving Factors -

Growing food service and hospitality industry.

Growing travel and tourism industry.

Growing disposable income.

Increasing investments by restaurant and hotel owners in the hotel environment.

Increase in the presence of hotel chains.

Total Employment

As per the UK Labour Force Survey (LFS), the total number of full-time and part-time employees in accommodation and food service activities was 2.5 million in 2021, witnessing an increase of 12.6% compared to 2021.

Key Highlights

Employment in the hospitality sector increased at a faster pace than in the total economy between 2009 and 2021. Employment in the hotel industry has grown by 12.6% in comparison with 7.5% of the total economy in 2021. Furthermore, the growth of employment in the sector is characterized by an increase in part-time employment.

The top five cities, covering Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Bristol, witnessed excellent hotel performance as per the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Europe.

In economic terms, the hospitality industry is concentrated in London, the Southeast, and the North West. However, in terms of its economic contribution to regional economies, the industry is especially vital for the Southwest, Scotland, and the North West.

Aramark, Bidfood Foodservice, Brakes, Compass Group, Mitchells & Butler, Sodexho, and Whitbread are among the largest operators of the food service market in the UK.

Segmental Overview

The UK front house hospitality uniform market held the highest market share of 58.5% and accounted for $257.4 million in 2021, which is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. The high market share is attributed to the significant number of waiters and waitresses and front-line servers.

The UK back house hospitality uniform market is growing at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period. The growing demand in the food preparation segment is fueling the growth in the projected year. The market was valued at $182.6 million in 2021, and it is estimated to reach $301.4 million in 2028.

The chef uniforms segment held the highest market share of 43.6% and accounted for $79.7 million in 2021, which is anticipated to reach $127.9 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The high chef employment is concentrated in London, the Southeast of England, and the Northwest of England. 100,000 employees are working as chefs in different industries. Hotels and resorts and restaurants and catering held around 51% of the market share in the chef uniform industry.

The cook uniforms segment held the second highest market share at 17.9%, accounting for $32.7 million in 2021, and is growing at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. The market is projected to be worth $55 million in 2028.

Others include kitchen and catering staff, cleaning staff, and others. Collectively, this segment accounted for 33.1% of the market share in 2021 and is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period.

Kitchen manager uniforms held the least market share of 5.3% and accounted for $9.8 million in 2021, which is projected to reach $15.3 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.

The waiter/waitress uniforms segment in the hospitality industry held the highest market share of 24.8% in 2021, accounting for $63.9 million, and is estimated to reach $110.5 million in 2028. High employment of waiters/waitresses in food and beverage services is contributing to the highest market share. In 2021, around 300,000 people were employed in this occupation in the UK. Among these, more than 85% of employees were involved in food service and hospitality businesses.

The server uniforms segment contributed to the second-highest market share of 19.3% in 2021, accounting for $49.6 million, and is growing at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. The market value in the UK is projected to reach $87.7 million in 2028.

The other segment includes bar staff, retail cashiers and check-out operators, and others. Collectively, this segment contributed 34.0% in 2021 and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period, attributed to the growing drive-through and food retail industries. The market size was $87.6 million in 2021, which is anticipated to reach $169.1 million in 2028.

The restaurant and catering industry held the highest market share of 35.2% in the UK hospitality uniform market in 2021. The high employment rate and stringent regulations related to food safety and uniform compulsion are contributing to market share. The market size in the restaurants and catering industry was $155.1 million in 2021, which is projected to reach $269.1 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period.

Hotels and resorts held the second-highest market share of 20.9% in the UK hospitality uniform market. The market size in the hotels and resorts industry was $92.1 million in 2021, which is projected to reach $153.0 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period.

The uniform market in cafes and coffee shops is growing at the highest growth of 9.5% during the forecast period. The growing number of chain coffee shops and independent cafes in the UK is contributing to the growth. The market size in the cafe and coffee shops industry was $44.0 million in 2021, which is projected to reach $83.1 million in 2028.

Among regions, England held the highest market share of 75.7% in 2021, accounting for $332.86 million, and is estimated to reach $584.2 million in 2028, growing at the highest CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

Scotland held the second-highest market share of 13.3% in the UK hospitality uniform market. The market size in Scotland was $58.3 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $99.6 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period.

Northern Ireland held the least market share of 2.6% in 2021, accounting for $11.5 million, and is anticipated to reach $17.0 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.