We have all become familiar with the concept of the credit crunch, with many independent businesses left wondering what is going to happen over the next 12 months. Here we will take a closer look at what independent caterers say their concerns are for the next 12 months and identify ways in which they could adapt their business to grow sales.

The effect of climbing food prices is being felt across the world with several different staple foodstuffs reaching record levels and this is having a knock-on effect on consumer prices both in and out of home. These increases and occasional shortage of supply are being caused by a variety of reasons that may not always be clear-cut.

According to our latest consumer research, 84% of Brits think the UK will enter into recession, up from 57% only three months earlier (HIM recession survey, March and June 2008) and unfortunately out-of-home-eating is one key area where consumers are planning to cut back spend in the next 12 months.

Foodservice operators in the US are already feeling the pinch as the economy heads towards recession and are turning to price wars, smaller portions and cheaper ingredients in order to survive the downturn.