Company lunches increase while Christmas dinners decline

Bep Al·lès/Ciutadella - The Christmas season reaches the restaurant sector in the Islands without euphoria, but also without major concerns. According to the barometer of the Restauració Menorca CAEB association, demand remains stable, very similar to last year’s, although shaped by two realities that are also present across the Islands: rising costs—especially labour costs—and an increasingly clear change in habits, with lunches gaining ground over dinners.

According to the association, company lunches continue to be concentrated mainly on Fridays at midday, while family and friends’ gatherings are spread throughout December, with greater intensity at weekends. Customer behaviour also remains predictable on key dates: last-minute reservations do exist, but they tend to be concentrated on less “marked” days in the calendar. For Christmas Day, Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, planning is still done in advance, with no major shifts compared to previous years.

Rising prices, but tighter spending

Price changes are indeed noticeable. The association acknowledges a general increase in rates, driven mainly by labour costs. Even so, demand is holding up: people continue to dine out, but with closer attention to spending. With inflation in the Balearic Islands standing at 3.2% in November, the sector describes a more restrained, though still present, clientele.

The growing prominence of lunches is explained both by social changes and by practical reasons: work-life balance, lower nighttime consumption and, often, a more affordable bill than that of a long evening meal.

More venues closing in winter

However, the context is not comfortable for everyone. The association warns that an increasing number of establishments are choosing to close on certain public holidays or even suspend activity during the winter. The combination of rising costs, staff sick leave and the difficulty of ensuring minimum turnover means that, when the numbers do not add up, many businesses decide to close their doors.