Ovenu

Ovenu, the UK’s largest established oven cleaning specialist, says people are saving money by eating out less and cooking at home more.

Rik Hellewell, the company’s founder and managing director, said its experience is broadly in line with British Retail Consortium figures for March which reveals people are making fewer visits to restaurants and spending more time entertaining at home.

This, along with the sales of home accessories and furniture helped total retail sales rise by 5.1 percent in March, compared with the same period last year, despite households feeling the financial pinch. [i]

He said: “Ovenu has not witnessed any huge fall off in enquiries as clients increasingly view their oven as a way of saving money by preparing more meals at home.

“The anecdotal evidence from our franchisees is that clients are reigning in their spending and visiting restaurants is now far less commonplace and something reserved for special occasions.

“In spite of the cost of living increases, people recognise that using their oven more is cost effective and that keeping it clean and well maintained improves its efficiency and helps extend the lifespan of the appliance.”

A survey by Barclays found that half of consumers questioned are cutting back on eating out – with restaurant spending falling by 5.1 per cent in March and grocery spending increasing by 7.1 percent.[ii]

The latest figures support the experience of our more than 100 Ovenu franchises across the UK that people are continuing to reduce their discretionary spend and investing any spare money in their home.

Rik added: “We have already noted a shift towards a ‘make do and mend’ attitude, with a greater willingness to either buying second hand or delay replacing a current oven with a brand new appliance

“A thorough clean by a professional technician can transform an oven to near showroom condition and helps reduce the number of ovens being scrapped, which is also beneficial to the environment.

“We saw a similar trend during the pandemic, with people investing in property improvements. Now, when money is tight, they are again focusing on making the home a more comfortable and stylish place to spend time and entertain in.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF OVENU

For further information contact Andrew Douglas 01325 363436

Photo caption: Rik Hellewell of Ovenu

Editors’ Notes:

Ovenu is the leading UK and international domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist. All cleaning products used by Ovenu are environmentally friendly, bio-degradable and conform to the latest government REACH regulations. Ovenu’s Carbon Remover is also approved by the Vitreous Enamel Association. The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic, non-toxic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. Ovenu is a full member of the Approved Franchise Association (AFA.)

https://www.ovenu.co.uk/

[i] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65232173

[ii] https://home.barclays/news/press-releases/2023/04/brits-cut-back-on-groceries-and-eating-out-in-march--yet-digital/