Listening to or watching ‘The News’ is not for the faint-hearted these days. Always something to raise the blood pressure or get the head shaking! Not least of which are the many reports we hear about the current ‘cost of living crisis’. And, it’s affecting people all around the world.
We hear STATS NZ reporting that people in New Zealand are pulling back their spending, including on food and meals of all kinds. In fact, spending on consumables in NZ has tracked well-below overall inflation these past 12 months and has had the lowest year-on-year increase of all spending categories.
Households are clearly feeling that they need to spend less and they are starting by reducing their grocery spend. Whether they are ‘leaving treats on the shelves’ or ‘choosing the cheaper brands’ or buying ‘specials’ instead of the family favourites, Kiwis are finding ways to make their money go further.
Here at EAT, we are not immune – the average spend was down last year and this year it is worse! However, whilst this doesn’t sound like a very rosy picture, we are actually incredibly lucky at EAT – lucky to have the most amazing and loyal customer-base which continues to support us week-in and week-out.
What’s more, many of you have been doing this for more than 15 years! Please know that we appreciate you all.
We can also celebrate the fact that every week we are still attracting new customers who are thankful to have found us (and who take the time to tell us this). Our ‘cook it and they will come’ philosophy at EAT is still working!
We haven’t had to move to a pre-order or subscription service, like some. If you call before 12 noon, you will receive fresh, chef-made meals the next day – all from our fridges packed full of deliciousness!
We still remain one of the more affordable home food delivery companies with the biggest variety… we have even managed to expand our range to include texture-modified meals for those who have difficulty swallowing or chewing (EAT Puree).
Our customers are at the heart of what we do and what we cook! Talking to the 20% who still like to phone-in their order and chat with one of the lovely ladies in the office, we hear a fair amount of pragmatism about the present situation.
For example, we often hear: “it is what it is!” Yes, the car may be parked up a little more in favour of the bus, and they may have had to forgo the occasional cake or soup with their meal, but as long as their EAT box arrives, there is no crisis!
In our latest menu you will find we have raised our price a smidge (20 cents) for the first time in 18 months. This was set ‘pre-global fuel situation’ so that ‘smidge’ has quickly been gobbled up with the surcharges and price increases all our suppliers are imposing.
However, to echo our wonderful customers: ‘It is what it is!’ We just have to keep calm, carry on and make sure those EAT boxes turn up on your doorsteps!
