Page 29 - April 2020

JUNKYARd gOLf

Responding to In 2020, there is an ever-growing range of what customers

want and need, and many different variations on these
evolving expectations needs from consumer to consumer. In this article, Neil

Barber, Leasing Director at Cain International, a privately

held real estate investment firm operating in Europe and
in the F&B industry the US, talks about the new food and beverage trends
that are taking the industry by storm and what the F&B

industry might look like in the future.

he global outlook is changing daily and potentially The experience-led consumer The fuTure
OmNOm evolving the way we will live, work and play. It is still Table tennis bars, crazy golf facilities and darts Reflecting on the changes we’ve witnessed in the last few
not clear what the overall impact will be, however ’experiences’ are popping up in town centres across the years alone, it’s exciting to imagine what our F&B, retail and
Tone thing is for certain and that is that the cycle of country. Steering away from the traditional cocktail bar or leisure landscape will look like in 50 years, following such
uncertainty we have found ourselves in is sure to continue. Against restaurant, this form of competitive socialising is attracting drastic change in a short period of time. As developers of
this backdrop it is definite that the age-old models of trading will customers who make more inventive decisions about their community, retail and leisure spaces, it’s essential we listen
face further challenges. Despite this – there is space for innovation nights out. Swingers, Flight Club and Junkyard Golf are to our consumers and mould our offering to their wants
now more than ever. In the last few years, we have been more all great examples of how much promise there is in this and needs. There will continue to be challenges to overcome
in tune with the way consumers behave. We have been able to market. Popular eateries and leisure venues are exploring and we must adapt our strategy and business model as we
act quickly – and the industry is responding by harnessing new new ways they can attract custom and stand out from the see fit. As an industry, we need to stay ahead of the curve,
technologies to improve the customer experience and capitalise rest. The Odeon has just launched its first Luxe & Dine at future-proof our businesses, and think of innovative ways to
on new trends in terms of health, personal wellbeing and the Islington Square, serving a mix of food, champagne, wine and drive footfall to our destinations.
environment. Below are some critical areas that the industry will cocktails brought to a comfortable cinema seat.
need to focus on to meet evolving expectations. The customer experience has never been more
important in this social-media era – there’s a reason Sketch fLIghT cLUb
The healTh-conscious consumer in Mayfair is one of London’s most ‘Instagramable’ locations.
Consumers continue to become more health-conscious It has a mix of arty rooms and pink velvet chairs - perfect
and as a result expect products and providers that for snap-happy customers. With this in mind, we were
make them feel empowered to meet evolving lifestyle keen to replicate a similar concept in Islington. Megan’s
requirements. Over one in eight Britons are now vegetarian neighbours the Odeon and features floral decorations, fairy
ThE OdEON LUxE & dINE or vegan and the number of vegans in the U.K. has lights and jazzy dog baskets - so beloved pets don’t need
quadrupled between 2014 and 2019. This is only expected to miss out on the occasion. It’s the ideal brunch spot for
to increase, giving suppliers and retailers the opportunity to the cosmopolitan Londoner. Insta-famous food is proving
explore new products and food to offer. to be quite the business tool as people find it hard to resist
This year London was named a world-leading vegan-friendly capturing the perfect image.
city with 152 vegan restaurants. OMNOM, a plant-based
restaurant and wellness hub endorsed by celebrities such as The local consumer
Russell Brand, opened its first-ever store at our development, Consumers are seeking brands which publicly champion
Islington Square, in February. It has a unique concept in that values which match their own – they want to purchase goods
it combines it’s vegan dining with alcohol-free wine and yoga from companies which focus on sustainability throughout their
sessions. It also aims to give something back too, for each meal supply chain and benefit local businesses. In spring Islington
bought it provides another to a child in need. It demonstrates Square will welcome SimplyFresh, an upmarket grocery store
how a café can be so much more as a space for interaction. offering organic, healthy food which has been sourced locally.

28 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2020