No let-up in coffee prices as bean supplies stabilise
Cafes have suppressed price rises amid tepid demand and high competition, which has seen profit margins fall from about 3.5 per cent to less than 2.5 per cent, Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert says.
“This is putting a lot of pressure on the industry and the cafe segment in particular, and that’s leading us to see, according to CreditorWatch, one in nine cafes and restaurants going into liquidation in the past 12 months,” he says.
“Ultimately, unless demand increases or prices increase, the industry is going to stay in the doldrums when it comes to profitability.”
“Devastating”: Government slashes apprentice support payments by half for mechanics, chefs and more
Wes Lambert, CEO of the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, said the decision would also affect hospitality businesses.
It marks a “serious blow to Australia’s already fragile hospitality workforce pipeline,” he wrote on social media.
“At a time when restaurants, cafés and pubs are battling chronic skills shortages, rising wage pressures, and declining training enrolments, removing support for apprentices doesn’t just hurt young people entering the industry — it puts the entire sector at risk.”
Rockers on song for pop-up gigs to boost ailing CBD
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said pop up concerts were welcome but the equivalent of “band-aids on a bullet wound” to confidence in the city.
“Months of rolling protests and rampant street crime have punched a massive hole in hospitality trade, and a few events won’t undo that,” Mr Lambert said.
“If the State Government wants restaurants, cafés and bars to survive, it must restore safety, stability and consumer trust — concerts alone won’t keep our doors open.”
New Zealand Is Getting A Michelin Guide
“It’s a tiny investment per year compared to the near $200 million that Tourism Australia spends on advertising,” says Wes Lambert, Chief Executive of the Australian Restaurant & Café Association.
“Bringing Michelin to Australia brings the world’s view, up to 400 million views, onto Australia’s dining scene. Local awards programmes just don’t do that.”
Tourism Australia turned down Michelin and a $40m chance to grow up
Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association is among those baffled by the decision.
“It would help reverse the international tourism slump,” he says.
Lambert is referring to the latest arrivals numbers for the 12 months through August, which are still more than 8 per cent down on pre-COVID levels, and 11 per cent lower in some states.
Why the Michelin Guide is coming to New Zealand, but not Australia
Industry figures questioned Tourism Australia’s decision.
“We believe it’s time the Michelin Guide comes to Australia, and we’re perplexed at the tourism and trade ministers’ reluctance to invest in it,” said Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association
ARCA warns surcharge ban will ‘lift prices and kill choice’ for diners
“The original proposal to ban debit surcharges was already a burden—but the current proposals goes too far, too fast,” said ARCA CEO Wes Lambert. “If surcharges are banned, prices will simply rise across the board.”
Campaign launched by Restaurant and Cafe Association
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) has launched its “Let’s Get This Right, Not Rushed” campaign, calling on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to slow down as it considers an outright ban on debit and credit surcharges with a rushed implementation and without understanding the full cost to small businesses.
Cashless Aussie shop reveals $25,000 burden amid RBA surcharge crackdown: ‘Not worth the return’
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ACRA), which represents thousands of hospitality businesses, has warned that 81 per cent of restaurants and cafes currently passing on surcharges would be forced to raise menu prices.
“If surcharges are banned, prices will simply rise across the board,” ACRA CEO Wes Lambert said.
Meals and takeaway prices increased in the 12 months to August.
The sector is battling surging costs and has recorded the strongest annual rise in the past year. CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, Wes Lambert says it’s no surprise.