Consumers continue to embrace delivery and takeaway trend

Delivery and takeaways accounted for over a third of restaurant and pub groups’ sales in July despite restrictions on indoor service lifting following ‘freedom day’, according to the latest CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker.

The report shows sales in July were 206% higher than in July 2019 - a drop on the growth in June (225%) and May (273%), following the return of indoor service in June and ‘freedom day’ in July.

Although the lifting of all restrictions across hospitality has led to an increase in eating out, delivery has maintained its 20.5% share month-on-month while takeaway sales (defined as being collected from an outlet by the customer, including click & collect and drive-thru) declined by 1.3%.

This correlates with the significant growth in delivery sales compared to 2019, which in July was nearly three times higher than takeaways.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA, comments: “As consumers returned to eating and drinking out following restrictions lifting, growth has naturally begun to slow in delivery and takeaway sales. However, it’s clear that consumer behaviours have shifted and hospitality at home will remain an important consideration.

“Understanding the balance between out-of-home and at-home preferences will be key to shaping sales and marketing strategies for all brands, as consumers continue to embrace the delivery and takeaway trend.”

The CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker provides monthly reports on the value and volume of sales for the delivery and takeaway market, with year-on-year comparisons and splits between food and drink revenue .