Client:
Duurzame Horeca Nederland, Dutch Non-profit organisation supporting sustainable food service industry
Brief:
Duurzame Horeca Nederland (DHN) initiates and runs projects to help hospitality businesses become more sustainable. DHN wanted to know: are Dutch consumers prepared to pay for tap water at cafes and restaurants? Tap water causes a dilemma. It’s way more sustainable than bottled water and of high quality, but restaurants will lose profits when the serve it instead of bottled and branded water. Is there a solution?
Our approach:
We tapped into our Food Forum to ask nearly 200 consumers if they would be willing to pay for tap water, how much and under which conditions.
Findings in a nutshell:
A plain glass of water is considered to be included in service and not valuable enough to pay for, unless it is the only drink a guest wants to order. In that case, cafes and restaurants can charge a small amount (up to €1,50) without putting off a significant proportion of their clientele. But the decreased perception of hospitality might offset these revenues.
A refillable carafe with an added flavour, such as a slice of lemon, is perceived as a product and service worth paying for. A refillable carafe with additional flavour can be priced between €2,50 and €3,00.
Download the full report
We believe that understanding consumers is key to making the food system more sustainable. Successful innovation and impactful communication require a solid foundation of consumer insight.
We are the insights partner of choice for food companies and non-profits that aim to have a positive impact on society and our planet. Together we empower consumers to make food choices that are good for them as well as for the planet.
