The latest increase means groups have generated growth in at-home sales for nine months in a row.
However, the value of takeaway and click-and-collect sales dropped by 4% from February 2023.
Combined, delivery and takeaway sales were 5% ahead of the year before — an improvement on the figures of 4% in January and 1% in December 2023.
It marks the first time since September last year that growth has exceeded the rate of inflation — currently measured at 3.8% by the Consumer Prices Index.
“It’s encouraging to see that restaurants’ at-home sales growth is keeping pace with inflation in early 2024,” says Karl Chessell, director at CGA by NIQ.
Consumers’ switch from takeaways to the convenience of ordering-in means deliveries accounted for 11% of restaurant groups’ sales in February, while takeaways and click and collect orders were worth 4%. Eat-in sales attracted 85% of all spending.
“The shift from takeaways to deliveries continues apace, and we can expect further migration as more and more people welcome the convenience of ordering platforms,” continues Chessell.
“However, with discretionary spending still under pressure for many consumers, restaurants will have to stay laser-focused on the quality and value of their delivery operations to sustain sales and share.”
