The strong like-for-like trading is nearly double the country’s 2.3% rate of inflation in the year to April, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index. It is also an eleventh consecutive month of year-on-year growth in the Tracker, and its highest figure of 2024 so far. 
The rate is also well above the separate CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, which records sales across all channels for a different cohort of managed restaurant, pub and bar groups. This Tracker reported a year-in-year drop in sales of 1.7% in April.
Continuing a long-term trend, deliveries increased their share of restaurants at-home sales at the expense of takeaways and click and collect orders in April, the Hospitality at Home Tracker shows. Deliveries saw like-for-like growth of 8.9% last month, while the value of takeaway and click-and-collect orders dropped by 2.5%. Deliveries attracted 57.9% of all at-home orders by volume in April.
Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA said: “After a modest first quarter for deliveries and takeaways, April’s above-inflation growth is a welcome boost for restaurant operators. It also contrasts with a tougher month for eat-in trading and may reflect the impact of April’s wet weather, which led some people to stay at home rather than go out. Across the board, consumers’ confidence clearly remains cautious, but relief of inflation and some household bills should help to unlock more spending with restaurants as we move into the key summer months.”
Karl Chessell
The CGA by NIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker is the leading source of data and insight for the delivery and takeaway market. It provides monthly reports on the value and volume of sales, with year-on-year comparisons and splits between food and drink revenue. It offers a benchmark by which brands can measure their performance, and participants receive detailed data in return for their contributions.
Partners on the Tracker are: Azzurri Group, Big Table Group, Byron, Chopstix, Cote, Creams Café, Dishoom, Five Guys, Gaucho Grill, Honest Burgers, Island Poke, Mitchells & Butlers, Nando’s, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut UK, Prezzo, Rosa’s Thai, Tasty Plc, TGI Fridays UK, Tortilla, Wagamama, Wasabi and YO! Sushi. Anyone interested in joining the Tracker should contact Karen Bantoft here.
