Delivery market could hit £7.1m this year

New research has revealed that the food delivery market in the UK could be worth £7.1bn by the end of 2020.

The data, shared by The NPD Group, compares the period from January to October this year with the same period in 2019. It shows that delivery is up 14% in visit terms (to 804m) and has seen a 40% increase in spend to £5.7bn.

Although delivery has met consumer needs during the pandemic, the positive news for pubs and bars is that consumers still value eating out and many plan to do so as soon as they are able.

The NPD Group says delivery could finish 2020 with visits up 16% to break the 1bn barrier, with spend projected to be up by 42% at £7.1bn. That would be the equivalent of a 12m monthly increase in visits versus 2019, and a £177m monthly boost to spend.

In terms of what’s being ordered, figures show that pizzas, chips and burgers have been the nation’s top food delivery choices during the examined period.

“Delivery is the silver lining in the otherwise very black cloud that hangs over Britain’s foodservice sector and has been the standout performer in 2020,” comments Dominic Allport, insights director (foodservice) at The NPD Group. “Delivery spend peaked in July at 51% above pre-Covid levels, but this trailed off as foodservice operators re-opened and with the August Eat Out to Help Out scheme. It’s now rising again amid the return to stricter lockdown rules and we expect it to see further success in the colder winter months and on into 2021.”