The mandatory system of QR codes introduced on June 28 in Moscow cafes and restaurants cost the business at least 35% of the proceeds, and also led to the closure of dozens of facilities. From July 19, the establishments will start working as usual. But market participants do not count on rush demand due to the holiday season and predict a recovery in revenue by September. Businesses are also waiting for a new wave of checks on compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures.
As a result of the operation of the QR code system in cafes and restaurants in Moscow, which became mandatory on June 28, the revenue of establishments decreased by 35-100% relative to standard indicators depending on the format, market participants told Kommersant. The GC “Shokoladnitsa” (coffee shops of the same name, the “Coffee House” and “Wabi Saby” chains) have a turnover in the Moscow region decreased by 35%, says the general director of the group, Oleg Podgorny.
Maxim Polzikov, partner and general director of Ginza Project Moscow, said that in restaurants with verandas, revenue decreased by 30-50%, in outlets without outdoor areas – up to 90%. One establishment of the restaurant holding has suspended its work, its opening is scheduled for August 1.
The Moscow Credit Bank clarified that from June 15 to July 15, the number of transactions in cafes and restaurants in the city decreased by 25%. The deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Viktor Yevtukhov estimated the drop in revenue from establishments without verandas in Moscow these days at 60-85%.
Igor Bukharov, President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia, calls the consequences of restrictions for the catering segment uneven for different formats: “It would be incorrect to display the average figure. Food courts were completely closed for several weeks, restaurants in shopping centers or outlets with small verandas were the most affected. And, conversely, companies calculated for delivery or just take-away have earned due to restrictions. ”
From the open data it follows that in total dozens of objects have been closed in Moscow, some establishments have switched to work several days a week.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin issued a decree on July 16 to abolish the mandatory QR-code system for restaurants and cafes from July 19. Also, the ban on the work of establishments at night is lifted and the activity of food courts is resumed. Events in clubs, bars, discos and karaoke are allowed subject to epidemiological requirements. In the Moscow region, the mandatory check of QR codes for visitors to establishments is also canceled.
The head of the Moscow Department of Trade and Services Alexei Nemeryuk said that after the abolition of the mandatory QR code system, checks will continue to ensure compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures. Igor Bukharov is also expecting a wave of new inspections.
The lifting of restrictions, including on night work, is unlikely to lead to a rush, as it was in 2020, says Artem Masaltsev, general director of the restaurant-bar “Kotelnaya”. During the restriction period, citizens could attend verandas, private parties on ships or festivals, adds Vasilisa Volkova, partner and co-owner of the Sidr Group bar holding. In her opinion, this, together with the beginning of the holiday season, will neutralize the entire effect of deferred demand.
As follows from the new decree of Mr. Sobyanin, those catering points that decide to continue to accept only visitors with QR codes will be able to work without the restrictions associated with COVID-19. For example, letting guests in without masks, as well as returning a tighter arrangement of tables. In “Shokoladnitsa” they are still studying the issue together with lawyers. The founder of the StrEat project, Maxim Popov, believes that because of QR codes, restaurateurs have faced a huge wave of negativity, so one should hardly expect that any of the market participants will create such zones. Mr. Masaltsev also stated that he does not want to divide his guests on such a principle.
According to Maksim Polzikov, the rate of recovery of restaurant revenues is still in question, since August is the worst summer month in the industry due to vacations. “We hope that this year, the not fully opened borders will allow us to get more visitors – both Moscow residents and city guests,” he says. Vasilisa Volkova believes that revenue in the holding’s establishments will recover by the end of September.
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