Share of drinks sales in takeaways rises 15%

The share of drinks sales in delivery and takeaway has risen by 15% versus the start of 2022, according to the latest CGA by NielsenIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker.

The latest tracker found that while delivery and takeaway sales across managed groups are still 91% higher than they were pre-pandemic, against last year sales have seen a slight dip of -11%, following the trend seen in August where combined sales were -7.9% versus 2021.

CGA noted drinks typically make up a smaller proportion of sales within monthly delivery and takeaway sales. However, versus January 2022 data, drinks’ share of sales in September 2022 were still 15% higher with steady month-on-month growth over the course of this year.

This opportunity is said to be reinforced in CGA’s Food Insights report, which highlights that of consumers who ordered delivery for the first time or more than usual in 2021, 37% of consumers were likely to order delivery from pubs and bars in the future. When it comes to delivery/takeaway formats, alcohol delivery and pickup/collection of alcohol also made up 19% of orders in 2021.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said: “Lockdowns saw consumers relying on delivery and takeaways to a much greater extent than they did pre-pandemic, and exploring new options including alcoholic drinks. 

“Operators should be exploring this opportunity given consumer sentiment, with careful consideration given to how they can meet customers’ expectations outside the traditional On Premise setting.”