This Week In Foodservice

The editorial team aggregates key industry information and provides brief analysis to help foodservice professionals navigate the data.

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U.S. Retail Sales Grew in November, Two Chains Earn “Best Managed” Recognition and Dave & Buster’s Mexican Fast-Casual Test

 

Total retail sales in the U.S. rose 0.2 percent in November from October, according to the Census Bureau’s advance sales report. Sales were up 4.2 percent from November of 2017. In the first 11 months of this year the Bureau said retail sales up were 5.3 percent. The report also revised the October results to up 1.1 percent compared to September. This marks a .3 percent increase compared what was originally given in last month’s advance report.

November foodservice and drinking place sales declined 0.5 percent from October but sales were up 5.6 percent compared to November 2017. In the 11-month period ending this November restaurants and bars sales have risen 6.2 percent. The October report had restaurant and bar sales decline by 0.2 percent but the November report revised sales up significantly to a 0.6 percent increase.

It appears that the foodservice sales numbers are moderately positive when taking all the data into consideration.

There are some considerations to bear in mind when looking at this data. The Bureau classifies this as an advance report since it is based on a small sampling. The findings can be revised when a larger sampling is received. Note the change for October sales noted above.

The Bureau surveys restaurants and bars only. Not included are hotels, resorts, retailers (c-stores, etc.), employee feeders, healthcare, schools and universities or military foodservice. Thus, 30 percent to 40 percent of the industry sales are not included in the study.

Some of the sales figures are adjusted for seasonal changes, holidays and trading days but not for menu price changes. 

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For details and same-store sales of other chains, please click here for the Green Sheet.

                                                                   

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