Delivery sales surge 192% from pre-Covid levels, CGA finds
As anxiety about the Omicron variant mounts and people are working from home where possible, growth continues to be much higher in the delivery and takeaway sector
Delivery sales in November were 192% higher than pre-Covid levels in November 2019, with a 25% growth in takeaways, revealed the latest edition of the CGA and Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker.
CGA said this reflects the trend of home deliveries boosted by lockdowns and the popularity of third party delivery providers.
Additionally, the research found that November saw Britain’s leading managed restaurant and pub groups record a 97% increase in sales by value compared November 2019, which is just 1% below November 2020.
While 2021-on-2019 growth has slowed since hospitality venues reopened earlier this year, deliveries and takeaways are “likely to attract another wave of interest” over the last few weeks of 2021.
CGA said that as anxiety about the spread of the Omicron variant mounts and people are working from home where possible, many consumers are likely to consider ordering food in instead of eating out.
Combined, deliveries and takeaways accounted for just over 28 pence in every pound of spending at managed groups in November 2021.
Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director of EMEA hospitality operators and food, said: “Covid-19 concerns threaten to badly damage the eat-in and drink-in sales of Britain’s restaurants and pubs this Christmas, but at-home sales could prove a lifeline to many fragile businesses.
“Deliveries and takeaways are now deeply embedded in consumers’ habits, and December is likely to give them fresh impetus. This sector is going to be a crucial battleground for all operators and suppliers as we enter 2022, and understanding consumers’ attitudes and preferences will be pivotal to success for all players.”
JP Then, Slerp founder, added: “Already we can see that pre-orders are on the rise, and online ordering will be an even more crucial channel in the coming weeks and months as people’s plans change. It is essential that operators ensure they are clearly communicating online purchasing options to their customers wherever possible.”
