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It's like a bar
Over the past year, the number of bars in Russia has grown by almost a quarter due to the opening of new wine bars and the development of local alcohol establishments. As prices for imported alcohol rise, consumer interest is shifting towards less expensive liqueurs. It is more profitable for an entrepreneur to open a bar, pub or wine bar, since the margin is higher than in classic catering. The average cost of such facilities is higher, and the need for personnel is lower.
The number of bars, pubs and wine bars in Russia in October 2024 amounted to 92 thousand establishments, which is 23% more than a year earlier, Yandex mapping service calculated in response to a Kommersant query. Interest in opening new stores is also confirmed: according to Franshiza.ru calculations, demand for bar and wine store franchises in January-September 2024 increased by 13% compared to the previous year. According to TopFranchise.ru, this figure increased by 7% compared to the previous year.
Franshiza.ru expert Timur Khashkhanokov says that the wine glass format has become especially popular this year.
Nightclub goers have turned their attention back to nightclubs and bars, and their numbers are now declining, explains District27 artistic director David Avtandilov.
In most cases, liqueurs are sold in glass shops, and buyers' interest has grown, primarily for economic reasons, says Elena Kirillova, founder of the Rumkabar chain. The price of a glass of tincture in Moscow bars now averages 250-300 rubles, and cocktails, which are often considered an alternative, cost three times more, she adds. David Avtandilov added that prices for imported spirits have increased significantly, so visitors are starting to drink Russian tinctures more often. For example, according to calculations by the Cenosaur service, from the beginning of 2024 to August, prices for foreign vodka increased by 32%, rum by 14.8%, brandy by 13.3% and whiskey by 10.5% compared to the previous year.
It is more profitable for an entrepreneur to open a bar and a wine bar than other types of catering establishments. A glass workshop is a fairly profitable business - up to 42% of invested capital, which is higher than the average for the catering market, says Timur Khashankov. At the same time, liqueurs occupy the most marginal position in the catering industry, and the markup can sometimes reach 700%, notes Elena Kirillova. Most of the income from wine glasses comes from the bar, which allows you to reduce kitchen costs, says Timur Khashankov. This branch does not need a large number of employees, adds Elena Kirillova. This is important due to the shortage of personnel. From January to September 2024, the number of vacancies in the catering industry increased by 28% compared to the previous year, and the total personnel shortage amounted to about 30 thousand people (see Kommersant, September 19).
However, the pace may slow down in the future due to the opening of bars and wine bars. It is difficult to find free space for new facilities now. There is very little space on Moscow's Garden Ring, says David Avtandilov. According to NF Group statistics, by the end of the first half of 2024, the share of empty space in Moscow's shopping areas decreased from 14.3% to 7.9%. Catering facilities already occupy 43.5% of the building's area. According to Anton Belykh, CEO of DNA Realty, restaurateurs have also increased their interest in opening restaurants in new buildings and large residential complexes. Residents of large cities do not want to waste time traveling to the center, so they often visit bars and restaurants in residential areas.
Overall, restaurant attendance is growing this year. From January to September 2024, the number of receipts from restaurants and bars in Russia increased by 9% compared to the previous year, mainly due to increased traffic in the region (see Kommersant, October 3). This is due to the increase in the flow of Russian tourists. According to Rosstat, from January to August 2024, the sales volume of the Russian restaurant market reached 2.2 trillion rubles, an increase of 19% compared to the previous year.