It is a fifth month of like-for-like growth in a row and continues a steady recovery in restaurants’ at-home sales in 2023, according to CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker.
The channel now accounts for just under 15p in every pound spent by consumers in restaurants contributing to the tracker.
However, October’s year-on-year growth of 5% marks a slowdown from September, when combined sales were 7% higher than the same month in 2022, says CGA. This means growth has dipped slightly behind the rate of inflation, and the increased revenue is the result of higher menu prices rather than extra orders.
The Tracker also highlights consumers’ ongoing preference for deliveries over takeaways. Year-on-year growth in delivery sales reached 6% in October, while takeaway and click-and-collect revenue was 2% down from October 2022.
“Managed groups’ delivery and takeaway sales took a sustained hit after the end of Covid lockdowns, but growth is now on a par with in-restaurant sales,” says Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA.
“The convenience of ordering platforms and lower prices suit some consumers’ habits at the moment, and the new balance of eating-out and at-home sales that is emerging will satisfy many operators.
“Organic growth in both channels while avoiding cannibalisation of sales will be a top priority for all restaurants in 2024.”