Shopping centres across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are the preferred destination for eating and drinking, according to leading global real estate advisor, CBRE, and its Food and Beverage in Shopping Centres report.

The views of 22,000 consumers in 22 countries across EMEA showed that 41% preferred to eat in shopping centres compared to 10% in restaurants and café’s on the high street, and 7% in retail parks.

A third of those interviewed visited shopping centres with the sole intention of eating or drinking. Four out of ten then went on to shop even if their reason for visiting the centre was just to eat or drink.

90% of those surveyed in UAE and 86% in South Africa rated the availability of food and beverage important with over half (57% in UAE and 65% in South Africa) almost always ending up visiting shops even when food and beverage is the reason for being there.

Slightly behind the UAE and South Africa were the views of those in the UK â€" 65% rated the availability of food and beverage important, while just under half (47%) would end up visiting the shops afterwards.
 
Click here to download the full report.