The latest figures from the NIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker by CGA by NIQ, show a continued shift in consumer behaviour, with delivery sales pulling further ahead of traditional takeaway formats in December.
Takeaway and click-and-collect orders fell by 8.4% last month, the third steepest monthly drop of the year, while delivery sales grew by 4.1% on a like-for-like basis. Direct-to-door sales are now worth more than double those of takeaway and collection combined, with deliveries accounting for 11.5 pence of every pound spent with restaurant groups in December, compared to just 4.9 pence for takeaway.
Despite the growth in delivery, overall at-home sales remained subdued. Like-for-like sales in December were up just 0.3% on the same month in 2024, following a flat performance in November, as cost-of-living pressures and pre-Christmas caution dampened spending. However, total sales, factoring in newly opened restaurants or sites launching at-home channels for the first time, painted a more optimistic picture, with December’s figures up 9.5% year-on-year.
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said, “December’s figures round out a challenging year for restaurants in both eat-in and at-home channels. Total sales growth paints a much brighter picture, and shows restaurants are continuing to invest in their delivery capabilities.
“However, any extension of at-home services comes with the risk of squeezing dine-in sales and the need to protect tight margins. Managing costs, the quality of food and relationships with third-party delivery platforms will be three top priorities for restaurant groups as they seek to revive real-terms growth in 2026.”
