NPD reports growth in Canada, Japan and China; Declines in Europe and Australia.
Restaurant traffic in the first quarter provided mixed results, according to data released by The NPD Group.
For example, restaurant and foodservice visits increased in the first quarter of the year for the more stable economies of Canada and China, NPD reported. In addition, Japan's traffic continued to rebound in the aftermath of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Foodservice visits declined in Australia and Europe where there is economic uncertainty.
Other key data points from NPD include:
- Visits to Canadian foodservice outlets increased 4 percent over the same time period in 2011.
- Chinese consumers continue to increase their use of commercial foodservice but they control their spending by selecting combo meals and other deals.
- Japan, which posted several solid quarters before the earthquake and tsunami, is returning to form with its second consecutive quarter of traffic growth.
- France was the only European country experiencing traffic gains in the first quarter. Foodservice traffic in Germany was flat, following gains in the preceding quarter, and traffic declined in Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
