April delivery and takeaway sales increase fourfold on pre-Covid levels
The results showed that combined delivery and takeaway sales were 345% higher than in April 2019, when the sector was fully open for eating out
Delivery and takeaway sales for April 2021 saw a “fourfold” increase from pre-Covid-19 levels, according to the latest CGA Hospitality at Home Tracker.
The results showed that combined delivery and takeaway sales were 345% higher than in April 2019, when the sector was fully open for eating out.
Sales grew by 11% from March 2021, despite the reopening of restaurants, pubs and bars for outside service in England from mid-April.
The figures from the tracker also suggested that deliveries, takeaways and at-home meal kits, which have all soared in popularity during the lockdowns of the last 14 months, are likely to remain a “major part of consumers’ habits” well beyond the full reopening of hospitality.
Karl Chessell, business unit director, hospitality operators and food, EMEA, CGA, said: “Surging delivery and takeaway sales have been a major side-effect of COVID-19 lockdowns and a lifeline for many operators in the first few months of 2021.
“As restaurants, pubs and bars reopen, the way consumers balance ordering in and eating out will be a major dynamic in sales and marketing strategies and a significant factor in profit margins.”
