More customers catering food for Hari Raya feasts this year

Key Concepts:

• Festive catering orders increase during Hari Raya.
• Shift from home cooking to outsourcing festive meals.
• Increased demand for catering services, especially from young families and seniors.
• Home-based businesses catering to Baby Boomers.
• Decline in dine-in sales, offset by increased delivery orders.
• Strategies to attract more customers to physical stalls.

Increase in Catering Orders:

• Festive catering orders have surged by 35% compared to the previous year, indicating a growing preference for outsourcing meals during Hari Raya.
• This trend is particularly noticeable among young families who are opting to avoid the complexities of cooking.
• One caterer serves up to 7,000 people daily during this period, a 30% increase from the previous year.

Efficient Operations:

• Despite the increased workload, the caterer maintains a consistent workforce of 10 workers daily.
• This is achieved through strategic use of two kitchens: one for light cooking and packing for home delivery, and the other for heavy cooking.
• This approach minimizes manpower requirements while maximizing output.

Changing Consumer Preferences:

• More families are choosing to order festive feasts instead of cooking at home.
• Seniors, who traditionally insisted on cooking, are now outsourcing to home-based businesses.
• Baby Boomers are ordering from home-based businesses run by friends and family due to the physical demands of cooking for large groups (30-40 people).

Customer Spending Habits:

• Mr. Shafik is willing to spend on reliable and familiar caterers like the featured chicken rice chain.
• The chain has been serving its signature chicken rice for over 20 years and has even catered for former President Halimah Yacob at the Istana.

Sales Trends and Challenges:

• Overall sales have decreased by 20% compared to the last Hari Raya, attributed to fewer people dining out at stalls.
• However, delivery sales have doubled, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards convenience.
• The owner notes a decline in families gathering at stalls for breaking fast (open fasting), with more people opting for takeaway.

Strategies for Attracting Customers:

• The owner plans to enhance the ambiance of the stalls by adding festive lighting and buskers.
• The goal is to attract more footfall and encourage customers to dine in.

Conclusion:

The video highlights a significant shift in consumer behavior during Hari Raya, with a growing preference for catering and delivery services over traditional home cooking. While dine-in sales have declined, the increase in delivery orders and strategic operational adjustments have helped caterers adapt to the changing market. Efforts to enhance the dining experience at physical stalls are underway to attract more customers and revitalize sales.