February deliveries and takeaways doubled pre-Covid levels

Managed groups saw delivery and takeaway sales double in February compared to pre-Covid levels, according to the latest CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker – but trading has dipped from peaks in early 2021. 

The latest instalment of the tracker shows that groups' combined delivery and takeaway sales were 131% higher than in February 2019 last month. Growth has been accelerated by delivery orders, which were almost four times higher than three years ago. Eat-at-home sales accounted for around 26 pence in every pound spent with managed restaurant and pub groups in February 2022. 

However, February's sales were 17% lower than in February 2021, when national lockdowns were in place and restaurants, pubs and bars were closed. The removal of Covid-19 restrictions has led some consumers to eat out this year instead of ordering in, as they did in early 2021. 

Karl Chessell, CGA's director – hospitality operators and food, comments: "What we’re seeing, almost a year on from the end of the last lockdown, is the normalisation of takeaway and delivery levels. The hospitality sector has forever changed, the brands that not only survive, but thrive are those who are able to bring their brand to their customers, wherever they are. And those that do this via direct selling vs relying on marketplaces will ultimately see more profitable results"

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