Cinemas need more support as consumers favour box sets over box office

14 November 2024

Commenting on the latest BFI Box Office data, Mandy Girder, head of media industries, RSM UK said: “The 7% drop in cinema admissions and 10% reduction in revenue is unsurprising given the cost-of-living crisis which continues to negatively impact box office performance, with many people opting to stay at home and stream films as a more cost-effective alternative to the cinema.

“The time lag from box office to streaming availability is now shorter than ever to satisfy ever-demanding consumer appetites, with films available to stream soon after cinema launch. Pre- Covid the window for films to reach on-demand platforms was averaging 109 days, compared to a post-Covid average of between 31 and 79 days.* Cinemas have had to work harder to pull in audiences by enhancing the consumer experience, as new releases alone are no longer enough incentive. Many cinemas now offer a more luxurious experience, with reclining seats and premium food and drink options available. But this comes at a price, which is increasingly challenging as revenues decline and operating costs increase. 

“Consumer behaviour has changed dramatically in recent years, with the option to stay home being preferable to a night out at the cinema. There needs to be more of a pull to drive people back to the cinema, and collaborating with other leisure and hospitality groups to enhance the experience may be the answer. The government has indicated its support for the film industry with film and TV credits to provide a vital lifeline for the industry. This helps make the UK an attractive place to make films, but more needs to be done to keep cinemas in our towns open. With the twin pressures of having to invest more to attract customers in, coupled with reduced admissions, any further support for cinemas, such as fast access to reliefs, is crucial.”

Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK added: “While non-essential consumer spending is slowly creeping up, people still want to see more value for money, which is why the overall experience as well as the actual products sold is becoming a big sway. This is a real challenge for cinemas when streaming services are so readily available. With costs for businesses increasing, particularly on their workforce following the Budget, cinema’s margins are squeezed more than ever, so delivering an enhanced customer experience is a real challenge.”

Mandy  Girder
Associate Director, Head of Media
Mandy  Girder
Associate Director, Head of Media