The Sunday lunch is an iconic feature of British culture and has long been a staple of weekend plans. While its roots were set in bringing people together after a Sunday church service, it is still seen as an opportunity to reconnect. But the Sunday lunch has evolved, with more people opting for a wider range of dishes.
The integration of Payit by NatWest into the Wetherspoon app means diners can pay for their Sunday lunch quickly and securely, without the need to share sensitive financial information such as card details – and all from the comfort of their table.
To explore how Sunday lunch habits have changed across the country, Payit conducted the study with OnePoll and surveyed 2,000 UK adults to reveal trends in the hospitality industry.
Out with the old, in with the new
Steak and Chips has been revealed to be the UK’s favourite alternative dish for Sunday lunch, with nearly a third (32%) opting for it over a traditional Sunday lunch. Fish and Chips places second, with over a quarter (28%) choosing to end their week with the seaside classic, while a quarter of Brits prefer a Burger and Chips.
Nevertheless, while what we eat during Sunday Lunch may be changing, the concept of having the time to reconnect remains the same.
Over half (54%) of the UK uses Sunday lunch as a time to reunite with family at the end of the week, and 26% with their friends. Regardless of what we eat on a Sunday, Brits still see the Sunday lunch as a natural time to catch-up with friends and family.
As our Sunday lunch preferences are evolving, so are our payments
Just as half (53%) of people want more variety when it comes to their Sunday lunches, their priorities have also changed when it comes to paying for them.
A quarter (24%) of the UK are already opting for payment services other than cash or direct card payments to pay for Sunday lunch. Alternative payment services, such as payment via mobile phone, give customers the flexibility to pay how they like without it interrupting the flow of their meal.
The survey found that 42% of Brits feel positive about the use of technology in their Sunday lunch experience. As the UK continues to integrate technology into more aspects of day-to-day life, Payit sets out to extend this increased convenience to the way people pay for their food and drinks.
A stress-free Sunday lunch
The integration of Payit by NatWest into the Wetherspoon app provides users with a speedy and secure means to enjoy their Sunday lunch with family and friends.
Using Open Banking technology, Payit by NatWest provides Wetherspoon customers with a fast, secure and reliable means to complete in-app orders without the need to input card details or use personal information to sign up for an account.
As there is no need for card details to be stored by a third party, the risk of online fraud is minimised, making it possible to enjoy lunch worry-free.
Mark Brant, NatWest Group Chief Payments Officercomments “This new partnership with one of the UK’s most recognisable brands is an exciting move for Payit by NatWest. It’s one that allows us to provide a company with an extensive consumer base a way to reduce the cost of taking payments.
“Ensuring the latest payment technology is available to as many consumers as possible is also one of our key ambitions as a business. The added security afforded by Open Banking technology reduces the risk of sensitive information, such as card details, falling into the wrong hands.”
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Methodology:
This survey has been conducted by Payit by NatWest and OnePoll of 2,000 UK adults on Sunday lunch trends and their payment habits during February 2024.