Cool weather and Euros boost delivery sales in June

The exclusive monitor shows like-for-like delivery sales over the month were 17.1% up on the same period in 2023. It is the second month of double-digit growth in a row, after an 11.3% increase in May.

The strong run of trading comes in a summer of widespread cool and damp weather across much of Britain, which has prompted some consumers to have food delivered to their homes instead of going out. Restaurants' at-home sales have also been boosted by the Euro 24 football tournament, with the evening timing of games ideal for ordering in meals.

“After soaring during Covid and slipping after the end of restrictions, restaurants’ delivery sales are now riding a new wave of strong growth,” says Karl Chessell, director at CGA.

“With the weather and Euros keeping so many consumers indoors, it’s a good environment for at-home sales and an encouraging indicator of spending confidence.”

The Tracker also reveals weaker trends in restaurants’ takeaway and click-and-collect sales, which were down year-on-year by 1.1% in June. It continues consumers’ long-term shift away from pick-ups in favour of delivery to the door.

Combined deliveries, takeaways and click-and-collect sales were 9.7% up on June 2023 — a 13th consecutive month of growth and more than four times Britain’s current rate of inflation. Deliveries accounted for 11.2 pence in every pound spent with restaurants in June, while takeaways attracted 4.4 pence.

“As takeaway sales continue their downward trajectory we also have confirmation of how third-parties now dominate the delivery market, and all restaurant groups will need to continue managing their relationships with these platforms very carefully,” adds Chessell.