Delivery, takeaway sales of UK’s top restaurant groups dip 3% in March

This marks the 16th consecutive month of year-on-year sales drops in the sector.

The delivery and takeaway sales of the UK's top-managed restaurant groups in March 2023 were 3% lower than the same month in 2022, as shown in the latest Hospitality at Home Tracker from CGA by NIQ.

The decline marks the 16th consecutive month of year-on-year sales drops in the sector. Whilst the market initially boomed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, some consumers have since returned to eating out, while others have reduced their spending due to rising household bills.

After adjusting for inflation, the value of sales has fallen further in real terms. Meanwhile, the Tracker also revealed a steeper drop in the volume of orders, indicating that groups have turned to menu price increases to address the year-on-year losses. Groups experienced a 9.6% dip in their number of delivery orders and a 12.7% contraction in takeaway and click-and-collect orders.

Although sales are still higher than pre-pandemic levels, they accounted for 14.9 pence of every pound spent with the managed restaurant groups that participated in the Hospitality at Home Tracker in March.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA, w noted that sales remain well down year-on-year in real terms, and with no relief from inflation in sight, trading conditions will remain extremely challenging for the industry for some time to come.

The CGA Hospitality at Home Tracker is a primary source of data and insight for the delivery and takeaway market. It provides monthly reports on the value and volume of sales, offering a benchmark for brands to evaluate their performance. Participants receive comprehensive data in return for their contributions. Amongst the partners on the Tracker are popular restaurant brands such as Byron, Dishoom, Five Guys, Pizza Express, Wagamama, and YO! Sushi.