Aotearoa's hospitality sector has been served a sour plate of bad news in a recent spending survey.
In Tony's View - Spending Plans Survey he asked readers what their plans for spending over the next three to six months are - and the weekly shop at the supermarket is a top priority.
With more devoting household money to buying weekly groceries, that "is eating into willingness and ability to spend on other things".
The survey found a "record" net 29 percent of respondents plan to spend less on eating out over the next three to six months.
"This is particularly depressing news for cafe and restaurant owners and the challenge for many will be gaining the business of foreign visitors when the borders properly open."
The survey asked where people plan to spend more, and groceries were at the top of the shopping list with a net 26 percent saying they will boost spending, up 8 percent from last month.
"This is clearly not a matter of choice but one of necessity."
It also asked if respondents feel confident enough about their future to increase spending over the same time period - a record net 21 percent said no.
Since the beginning of 2022 spending plans took a large dip and since have continued to get worse.
