Delivery and takeaway sales climbs on the back of higher menu prices

This segment accounts for just under 15 pence in every pound consumers spend.

Delivery and takeaway sales at Britain’s leading managed restaurant groups rose 5% year-on-year in October 2023, CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker shows.
 
It is a fifth month of like-for-like growth in a row and continues a steady recovery in restaurants’ at-home sales in 2023. The build-back follows a long decline after the end of COVID-19 restrictions, which had led to a surge in consumers ordering food at their doors. It means that deliveries and takeaways now account for just under 15 pence in every pound spent by consumers with restaurants contributing to the Hospitality at Home Tracker.

Despite YoY growth, 5% is a slowdown compared to September when combined sales were 7% higher than the same month in 2022.

According to CGA by NIQ, this means growth has dipped slightly behind the rate of inflation, and the increased revenue is the result of higher menu prices rather than extra orders.
 
The Tracker also highlights consumers’ ongoing preference for deliveries over takeaways. Year-on-year growth in delivery sales reached 6% in October, whilst takeaway and click-and-collect revenue was 2% down from October 2022.
 
“Managed groups’ delivery and takeaway sales took a sustained hit after the end of COVID lockdowns, but growth is now on a par with in-restaurant sales. The convenience of ordering platforms and lower prices suit some consumers’ habits at the moment, and the new balance of eating-out and at-home sales that is emerging will satisfy many operators. Organic growth in both channels whilst avoiding cannibalisation of sales will be a top priority for all restaurants in 2024,” Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said.