In the eighth month of year-on-year decline in a row, the data showed combined sales in June 2022 were 23% below the level of June 2021, when venues were subject to trading restrictions and consumers were hesitant about eating out.
CGA business unit director, hospitality operators and food, EMEA, Karl Chessell said: “With trading conditions in restaurants and pubs returning to normal, a slowdown in delivery and takeaway sales was to be expected in the first half of 2022, and it suggests most of Britain’s consumers have returned to their pre-covid eating-out habits.
Achieving growth
“However, this sector is still more than twice the size it was before the pandemic, and it’s now worth nearly 24p in every pound spent in managed pubs and restaurants who contribute to the tracker.
“Balancing eat-in and at-home operations, and achieving growth in both without compromising either, will be a top priority for businesses over the second half of the year.”
However, the research, which looked at data from companies including BrewDog and Azzuri Group, also showed sales remained well above pre-covid levels, with growth of 113% in June 2022 compared with the last pre-pandemic June in 2019.
Furthermore, the Tracker indicated delivery sales were 275% higher than three years ago, while takeaway and click-and-collect sales were up by 39%, reflecting a steady move away from takeaway pick-ups to the convenience of deliveries via third-party platforms.
Essential part
Slerp founder JP Then said: “Delivery has seen unprecedented growth of 275% in the past three years, and while eating out has returned to more or less the levels seen pre-pandemic, online ordering and delivery is continuing to grow.
“Brands offering direct-to-consumer online ordering are seeing up to 40% of sales taking place online. For these businesses, delivery is an essential part of their operations and their online customers are as important to them as their on-premise customers.
“In the face of increasing cost of living challenges, it is inevitable consumers are becoming more discerning with their discretionary spending which makes owning a direct relationship to loyal customers as important as ever.”
