Americans Won’t Let Inflation Spoil Their Appetite

By Felix Richter – Statista

Despite inflation causing financial headaches in many households across the United States, Americans haven’t lost their appetite for dining (and drinking) out. That’s according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, showing that monthly sales of food services and drinking places amounted to $94.7 billion in November, up 2 percent from the previous month and 11 percent compared to the same period of last year. While some of that increase can certainly be attributed to higher prices on the menu, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for food away from home increased 5 percent year-over-year in November, indicating that the increase in sales can only party be attributed to higher prices.

In fact, sales growth of restaurants, bars etc. has been outpacing price increases throughout the inflation crisis.