Delivery and takeaway sales return to growth after 18 month decline

It is the first year-on-year growth in the Tracker since late 2021, following 18 consecutive negative months in the wake of the post-Covid reopening of restaurants.
 
Delivery and takeaway / click and collect sales were up by 2% and 7% respectively in June. However, growth in the delivery channel was driven by increased menu prices, with order volumes falling 8% year-on-year. With inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index standing at nearly 8%, combined sales were down on June 2022 in real terms.
 
The Hospitality at Home Tracker shows deliveries and takeaways accounted for 14% of managed restaurant groups’ total sales last month—substantially down from the figure of 24% in June 2022. Food took a 90% share of at-home sales while drinks had a 10% split—a slight increase from 8% last year.

“After a surge in delivery and takeaway sales during Covid and a steady decline after the end of lockdowns, the balance of eating-out and ordering-in is finally settling down,” says Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA.

“Steady growth of in-restaurant sales has been positive for managed groups, but the return to year-on-year increases in delivery and takeaway channels is now welcome too. However, the ongoing drop in order volumes is a sign that consumers are keeping a close eye on their spending, and real-terms growth is likely to remain challenging until household bills ease.”