Restaurant delivery sales slip 0.6% in April due to good weather

Delivery and takeaway sales at restaurant groups slipped by 0.6% year-on-year in April, marking the fifth consecutive month of below-inflation growth as good weather and the long Easter weekend drew people out of their homes. 

According to CGA by NIQ’s newest Hospitality at Home Tracker, a slight decrease was observed. This aligns with findings from CGA’s RMS Hospitality Business Tracker, which indicated a 0.9% year-over-year decrease in total sales for managed restaurant groups in April, contrasting with a 9.1% increase for pubs.

However, the Hospitality at Home Tracker pointed to slightly better trading for deliveries than takeaways in April, as delivery revenues were exactly level year-on-year while sales from takeaways and click-and-collect orders fell 1.9% on a like-for-like basis. 

In addition, total combined sales were 10% ahead of April 2024, reflecting a sharp increase in venues providing deliveries and takeaways in the last 12 months.

Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators and food EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “Warm weather is usually better news for pubs than restaurants, and it’s clear that drinking-out was the priority in April. 

“Disposable incomes remain limited for many consumers, and with various other options for their money, a softening in delivery and takeaway sales isn’t surprising. While sales have now been flat or below inflation for five months, it’s important to note that this follows a period of significant growth in the channel.” 

He added: “Operators will be hoping that momentum returns over the summer as habits settle and demand picks up again.”