Australians now ranking among the world's biggest spenders when eating-out

Despite recent economic wobbles and political shake-ups, Australian consumers continue to spend more when eating out than those in the US, Japan, France or the UK. When adjusted to US dollars, Australians spent an average of US$8.81 when eating out during the first quarter this year, a 4.4 percent rise on this time last year. In contrast the average US consumer spent $6.48 when eating away from home in the first quarter. Countries spending less than a year ago included the UK ($7.12, down 3pc on last year). Italy, Spain and France also showed small reductions.