Delivery sales for many of the UK’s biggest restaurant and pub groups in April were 357% higher than the pre-COVID levels from April 2019, the latest edition of the CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker shows. These figures follow the excellent performance of the delivery sector since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. Takeaway and click-and-collect sales were also found to have increased over the last three years by 26%. Combined sales of deliveries and takeaways were 114% higher than in April 2019, accounting for approximately 24p in every pound spent with the managed groups participating in the study.

However, sales have plateaued in 2022, as Covid restrictions eased. The ‘Hospitality at Home Tracker’ shows April’s delivery and takeaway sales at 34% behind the levels of April 2021, when the UK was emerging from strict COVID-19 restrictions.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said “While growth in has 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.”

Slerp Head of Sales, Thomas Messett, said: “The fact that for every pound spent, 24p went on takeaway and delivery orders, is huge. With operators facing mounting cost pressures, you can’t afford to ignore direct ordering. When you then layer in loyalty to continue to drive repeat business, you really see the power and potential of direct ordering.”

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