Hospitality at Home Tracker: The Delivery Surge
April 2024 saw Britain’s top managed restaurants pull off a 4.5 % jump in delivery and takeaway sales—talk about a snack‑tastic year‑on‑year boost.
Where Did the Money Go?
- Deliveries exploded with an 8.9 % growth rate.
- Takeaway and click‑and‑collect orders slipped 2.5 %.
- Deliveries captured 57.9 % of all at‑home orders by volume.
In plain English: the “door-to-door” model is winning the taste‑battle, while folks are dropping the “grab‑and‑go” in favor of a good old tab‑on‑delivery.
Why the Numbers Matter
That 4.5 % gain is almost twice the 2.3 % inflation rate for the year‑to‑April Consumer Prices Index—way beyond what’s typical for food. It’s also the 11th straight month of growth for the Tracker, and the highest figure of 2024 so far.
Comparatively, the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker (covering a different mix of pub and bar groups) reported a 1.7 % drop in all‑channel sales in April. A clear sign that deliveries had the upper hand.
Behind the Numbers
Executive Karl Chessell of CGA EMEA pointed out:
“After a modest first quarter for deliveries and takeaways, April’s above‑inflation growth is a welcome boost for restaurant operators.”
“It also contrasts with a tougher month for eat‑in trading and may reflect the impact of April’s wet weather, which led some people to stay at home rather than go out.”
“Across the board, consumers’ confidence clearly remains cautious, but relief of inflation and some household bills should help unlock more spending with restaurants as we move into the key summer months.”
So, when the drizzle hit, folks turned to their kitchen doors—no umbrellas needed for food delivery.
Quick Takeaway
- Deliveries are thriving, outpacing takeaways.
- Growth outstrips inflation, offering a bright outlook.
- Weather and fiscal relief are turning more consumers into home‑cooking patrons.
Keep your spoon ready: the next order is just a tap away!
