Innovation is vital to drive continued growth in foodservice sales, according to industry analyst Horizons, with luxury restaurant furniture one way to create the kind of atmosphere diners are looking for.
More than 120 representatives from throughout the sector came together for the recent Horizons Annual Briefing in the City of London, and recognised the combination of forces that mean the market is decelerating, but still growing.
Last year, the foodservice sector recorded 2% growth, and Horizons managing director Peter Backman said that while confidence is lower in 2016, the current forecast for the end of the year is 1.8%.
"Some of the big restaurant and pub groups have reported slightly shaky figures for the first quarter with unimpressive like-for-like sales," he said. "I suspect this means we will see little growth throughout the rest of the year. At best sales are likely to grow slightly across the sector."
However, there are still opportunities for growth, and with like-for-like sales under pressure from high levels of competition, it's a time to invest in new restaurant furniture to increase revenues through expansion into new areas.
"Smaller companies can be more nimble, more adaptable and more able to maintain control - it is with the fledgling businesses that we are currently seeing the most growth in the UK in terms of new store openings and many are bringing something new and innovative to the market, which means the larger players must too," Mr Backman added.
A number of the experts in attendance highlighted demand for luxury as a continuing trend, with customers still looking for the best ingredients and dining environments.
In some cases, restaurateurs are taking inspiration from the high end of other industries, such as luxury air travel, with innovations like online booking systems, improved delivery and the option of paying via a smartphone app finally filtering through into the foodservice industry.
Luxury restaurant furniture is one way for establishments of all sizes to create the kind of atmosphere that will please discerning diners, as well as bolstering earnings by ensuring you are catering for a capacity crowd during each service.