Polarized consumer attitudes about eating and drinking have been seen in China’s bar and restaurant markets, including Wuhan, the starting place of the coronavirus crisis, since the quarantine and restrictions were lifted, according to a report by the CGA.

Data was collected by the CGA research firm from 2,000 people at China’s most developed restaurants and bars markets in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Wuhan on May 7-11. According to the data, people who go out and people who don’t are almost evenly separated. People, who go out, placed mainstream and fine dining restaurants at the top of the preference list and the list followed by cafes and fast-food restaurants. A majority of the 48% of consumers who eat out and drink have done so “multiple times.” However, two-thirds of those yet to go out were “not planning to in the next month”. Phil Tate, CGA’s global managing director, said: “This even split in a market in which eating and drinking out was a previously fundamental part of daily life, highlights the apprehensive nature of consumers to go out again, as well as the precautions required to persuade consumers back into the out of the home market.” Researches showed that nightclubs and entertainment venues are places where consumers have the least confidence to visit.