Local restaurants are noticing a phenomenon that’s impacting their bottom line: The “hermit consumer.”
It’s a term Waterloo, Ont., restaurateur Gabriel Malbogat used in a recent interview.
Similar to the mid-1980s trend known as “cocooning” — where people stayed home in a sort of isolated “bubble” — hermit consumers and its hermit economy is a global phenomenon where people stay at home and order in food and supplies.
That has had a significant impact on the food service industry, research company GlobalData says.They cite statistics that show revenue generated by dine-in sales is down 12 per cent compared to 2019 while revenue from takeaway meals is up a staggering 46 per cent.
So why is this a problem, if restaurants are still getting orders for food?
Fred Diamond, senior food consultant consumer custom solutions at GlobalData, said in a release people are still sepnding and consuming “but in a radically different way.”
“The major beneficiaries of [pandemic] lockdowns, such as delivery platforms, have of course aimed to maintain their new-found dominance. The rise in ‘ghost kitchens,’ which are delivery-only foodservice outlets, has also served to cement this new landscape,” Diamond said.
“But this is not simply an equal shift from dine-in to takeaway. In many regions, such as Asia and Europe, foodservice markets are down on 2019 levels.”
Impact of delivery apps locally
Malbogat owns and operates the popular quick-service restaurant Chef on Call near the University of Waterloo (with locations in London and Montreal) which long before the pandemic created their own proprietary delivery system for their casual but high-quality burgers, chicken tenders, poutines and pasta.
He has seen firsthand how consumer behaviour changed because of the pandemic and third-party delivery apps saw “a huge” uptake of user activity.
“It drove nearly a decades’ worth of growth within the delivery sector of the industry in a year. New ball game,” Malbogat said.
“We were no longer the only delivery restaurant competing with McDonald’s. You had 20 different restaurants trying to deliver their burgers.”
Chef on Call was nimble, robust and reacted to the altered landscape and continues to thrive today, he said. In fact, in the courtyard off Columbia Street W. where the restaurant is situated, it is one of the only original food operations that survived.
‘Coupon effect’ of delivery apps
When it comes to habits, third-party food-delivery apps feed what I call a “coupon effect”: training consumers, who order from their couches or call while walking back from the bar so their late-night snack arrives at home at the same they do, to look for discounted food.
If the app says there’s no discount at a particular restaurant, there could be no order made — and it’s on to the next restaurant’s freebie. The apps give the hermit consumer promotional offers like buy-one, get-one deals, 50 per cent of which the app covers.
It’s the type of promotion, in many cases, where restaurants feel they must participate.
Churrasqueira Madeira Barbecue and Grill, opened as a take-away spot during the summer last year but has recently put the business up for sale for $149,000. (Andrew Coppolino/CBC)
“If the restaurant took the promotion, you got to the top of the algorithm,” Malbogat said. “If you didn’t play the game, you got buried in the algorithm. Restaurants became dependent on that for revenue and were forced to work with the apps or they didn’t get the revenue.”
The restaurant, of course, could offer its own discounts and bargains, but that comes at a cost in an industry with notoriously small margins. The dynamic has created an imbalance in the triad of hermit consumer, restaurant and third-party delivery app, which can take as much as 35 per cent on the order from the restaurant.
For sale: local restaurants
Where has a good portion of the hermit economy seen the industry end up? In the MLS real estate listings: by my rough count, there are three dozen quick-service restaurants for sale in the region — pizza joints, express Indian takeaway, and shawarma restaurants — but there are also some finer upscale casual venues and Italian pasta houses.
Shattered supply lines, rising food costs, higher labour costs, and general instability in the economy greatly hampered the food and beverage industry over the last few years and it’s difficult to see it ever get back to pre-pandemic levels.
Malbogat doesn’t speak for the industry but has been observing carefully the number of restaurants for sale and has taken measures to protect his staff and his businesses, accordingly.
The number is in part an indication of a generally stagnant economy, inflation and even changes in tipping culture of new hermit consumer habits, much of it driven by third-party delivery apps.
“We’re going to see a lot of closures,” Malbogat says. “If you’re opening a restaurant, don’t buy new equipment. There’s so much used available.”
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
