Delivery sales four times higher than pre-Covid

Delivery sales across Britain's leading managed restaurant and pub groups in April were 357% higher than the pre-Covid levels of April 2019, according to the latest instalment of the CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker.

The food delivery sector has been on an upward trajectory since the start of the pandemic. Takeaway and click-and-collect sales have also increased over the last three years, though by a much more modest rate of 26%. 

Combined sales of deliveries and takeaways were 114% higher than in April 2019. They accounted for around 24 pence in every pound spent with the managed groups participating in the Tracker. 

However, sales this year have plateaued, as Covid-19 restrictions eased and consumer confidence about eating out improved. The Tracker shows April's delivery and takeaway sales were 34% below the levels of April 2021, when Britain was emerging from strict Covid-19 restrictions and venues were starting to reopen. 

Partners on the tracker are: Azzurri Group, Big Table Group, BrewDog, Burger King, Byron, Côte, Dishoom, Gaucho, Giggling Squid, Honest Burgers, Island Poké, Nando's, PizzaExpress, Pizza Hut, Prezzo, Rosa's Thai, Fridays, The Restaurant Group, Tortilla, Wagamama and Yo! Sushi. 

Karl Chessell, business unit director – hospitality operators and food at CGA, comments: "While growth in sales have slowed from the peaks of Covid-19 lockdowns, these figures show how deliveries have become entrenched in consumers' habits, as they now account for nearly a quarter of all spending with managed groups. Our Tracker also indicates that deliveries are steadily eating into the takeaway and click-and-collect sector as consumers opt for the convenience of food and drink delivered straight to their door."

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