Delivery services peak at 19% in November, report finds

Delivery shares of total eating out occasions peaked at 19% in November, having dropped as low as 15% during October, revealed the latest update to the Lumina Intelligence UK Foodservice Delivery Market Report 2021.

Additionally, delivery occasions increased overall by 2% in the 12 weeks ending 28 November 2021. Lumina Intelligence said this increase is likely due to the recent bad weather due to Storm Arwen, along with concerns for the Omicron variant, both causing people to stay inside.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s continues to dominate foodservice delivery, accounting for 19% of total foodservice delivery occasions during the 12 week period.

Five Guys has also appeared in the leading brands by share of occasions for the first time, with the brand putting a greater focus on its delivery service as a result of “strong” delivery sales throughout the pandemic.

Older consumers aged 45 to 65+ have grown the share of delivery occasions by 4%, although younger consumers are the “driving force” behind the growth of foodservice delivery, with one-in-two delivery consumers aged 18 to 34.

The three most common reasons for consumers ordering food service delivery are that 24% of consumers didn’t want to cook, 18% considered it a treat, and 9% ordered as a means to spend time with family.

Blonnie Whist, insight director at Lumina Intelligence, said: “With the weather turning colder, we expect to see an uptick in delivery over the winter months. However, with the volume of Covid cases rising rapidly and the potential for tougher restrictions, delivery could become critical to operators once again over the coming weeks and months. 

“Consumers are likely to become more selective on how they spend their free time, opting to stay in with friends rather than go to busy pubs or restaurants in order to limit risks and ensure festive plans don’t have to change last minute due to isolation.”