The commercial catering equipment market bounced back with a 17-per-cent value growth in 2021, according to AMA Research’s ‘Commercial Catering Equipment Market Report 2022-2026’.

Throughout the start of the pandemic, the commercial catering equipment market saw a sharp decline of 16 per cent due to the sudden enforced closure of all non-essential businesses, notes the new report by AMA Research. This decline could have been much worse had it not been for the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme introduced by the UK government in August 2020. 

Many consumers had accumulated savings, which were increasingly spent on non-essentials such as eating out – indeed, towards the end of 2020 and throughout 2021 it was one of the few activities that most were able to take part in. As an effect of this, the commercial catering equipment market bounced back with a 17-per-cent value growth in 2021.

Commercial catering equipment is designed to be highly durable, functional and reliable to withstand the demands of commercial use. Due to the longevity of the equipment, repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) accounted for 78 per cent of market value in 2021.

New work accounted for the remaining 22 per cent and was driven by an increased level of construction in the hospitality sector in 2021. New construction included new restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes and in particular the expansion of large restaurant and coffee shop chains. 

Rise of ‘ghost kitchens’ to create strong equipment demand

One sector that is forecasted to grow significantly in the years to come, and to account for 50 per cent of takeaway food sales by 2030 is the relatively new concept of ghost/dark kitchens. This type of kitchen offers a professional food preparation and cooking facility, intended for the delivery and/or collection of meals.

Breaking the market down in 2021, the largest product category by value was cooking equipment, which accounted for 49 per cent of the market. This dominance reflects the high cost, variety of solutions and prominence such products have in the sector.

“There are a number of key trends underpinning future growth in the UK commercial catering equipment market. These include more innovative at-home delivery solutions and the greater focus on experimental and unique dining experiences to encourage people to eat out,” observed Abdul Tantouch, Editor of the Commercial Catering Equipment Market Report 2022-2026 and Head of Content at AMA Research. “In terms of food preparation, efficiency will continue to improve with the increasing use of versatile, multifunctional catering equipment that uses digital technology to produce high quality and consistent results with minimal kitchen operative intervention.”

‘Commercial Catering Equipment Market Report 2022-2026’ can be accessed here