November takeaway and delivery sales double pre-Covid levels

Delivery and takeaway sales across hospitality are growing, according to the latest figures from the CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker, showing that growing concerns around rising rates of the Covid Omicron variant could further heighten at-home sales throughout December. 

Nineteen companies contributed to the research, including Azzurri Group, Cotê Restaurants, Dishoom, Gaucho Grill, Giggling Squid, Honest Burgers and Fridays. 

According to the Tracker, November saw Britain's leading managed restaurant and pub groups record a 97% increase in sales by value compared to November 2019 levels. Sales were just 1% below November 2020, when businesses were subject to tougher restrictions on eat-in trading than they are now. 

Delivery sales for November were 192% higher than in 2019, far outstripping the 25% growth in takeaways. This demonstrates' the consumer transition from picking up food to having it delivered to their door, a trend boosted by lockdowns and the popularity of third-party delivery providers. 

While 2021-on-2019 growth has slowed since hospitality venues reopened earlier this year, deliveries and takeaways are likely to attract another surge in the last few weeks of December, with anxiety surrounding the spread of the Covid Omicron variant meaning many people will prefer to stay home. 

Deliveries and takeaways combined accounted for just 28 pence in every pound of spending at managed groups in November 2021. Growth here continues to be much higher than eating and drinking out, with the November edition of the CGA Coffer Business Tracker indicating that managed groups grew their sales by just 2% from November 2019. 

Karl Chessell, business unit director – hospitality operators and food at CGA, comments: "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."

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