Delivery and takeaway sales in decline
The tracker showed delivery and takeaway sales across Britain’s managed groups, including BrewDog and Mitchell’s & Butler’s, were 3% down in March compared with the same period last year, meaning year-on-year sales have fallen for 16 consecutive months.
After booming during Covid lockdowns, the market steadily softened as some consumers reverted back to eating out while others reduced spending amid the cost-of-living crisis, according to CGA.
Sharp drop
However, after adjustments for inflation, the value of delivery and takeaway sales fell significantly further in real terms.
The tracker also indicated a sharp drop in the volume of orders, signalling groups have depended on menu price rises to stem year-on-year losses.
In addition, the data showed a 9.6% dip in the number of delivery orders compared to March 2022 and a 12.7% contraction in takeaway and click-and-collect orders.
Nevertheless, sales remained well above pre-Covid levels and accounted for 14.9p in every pound spent with the managed groups contributing to the Hospitality at Home Tracker in March.
Switched back
This comes as figures from CGA by NIQ earlier this week showed drinks sales in managed venues during the seven days to Saturday 15 April were down 3% compared with the equivalent period in 2022.
CGA business unit director hospitality operators and food EMEA Karl Chessell said: “Sixteen months of year-on-year decline in delivery and takeaway sales have shown how the cost-of-living crisis has impacted consumers’ discretionary spending.
“More positively, it’s an indication that some consumers have switched back from ordering in to going out, and our Coffer CGA Business Tracker has shown modest increases in in-venue sales this year.
“However, sales in both channels remain well down year-on-year in real terms, and with little respite on inflation in sight trading conditions will remain very challenging for some time to come.”
