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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Jonathan Barrett Business editor

Dinner for few: Australians eating out less as fuel crisis deals biggest blow to consumer confidence since Covid

United States Australia Covid-19 John Hart Petrol Iran Pandemic NAB
Empty restaurant
Analysts say households are reducing spending on dining out due to concerns over the future, particularly over the cost of petrol and the fallout of the Iran war. Photograph: James Gourley/AAP

Australians are choosing chicken schnitzel over more expensive rib-eye steak, avoiding entrees and sticking with tap water rather than a glass of wine amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fuel crisis and war in Iran.

As soon as the numbers on the petrol bowser started climbing last month as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the customer response was swift.

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