Alcohol product sales rise by more than a third during lockdown

• Sales of takeaway alcohol products have risen by more than a third (36%) during lockdown, due to increased intake and offerings, new research shows. 
• Brand new data compiled by Just Eat and City Pantry reveals the UK’s takeaway habits and how they’ve changed during the pandemic. 
• Northern Ireland saw the biggest increase in product orders with a rise of 9.3%, while the West Midlands saw the lowest increase at 3.5%. 
• Continued social distancing and flexible working will lead to steady increase in home deliveries, expert says. 

Takeaway alcohol product sales have risen by more than a third (36%) during lockdown, due to an increase in consumption and a wider availability of products, new research shows. 

The study, compiled by City Pantry and Just Eat, looks at how the nation’s takeaway habits have changed over lockdown, to reveal whether we’re eating healthier, drinking or eating more, and when in the week we’re most likely to indulge in a takeaway. 

Northern Ireland saw the biggest sales increase with orders up 9.3%, followed by the East of England with 7.7% and the East Midlands at 6.4%. The West Midlands (3.5%) and the North West (3.8%) saw the lowest rise. 

While this increase could be attributed to a rise in at-home consumption due to Brits being unable to visit the pub, it’s also likely due to more providers adding alcohol products to their takeaway menus than before the pandemic. 

This has been instrumental in allowing dine-in restaurants to pivot their services to maintain revenue while restrictions were in place, with all regions partaking in remotely purchasing alcohol products.  

Increase in alcohol consumption by region

As well as ordering more alcohol products, the data shows that some regions have grown progressively more adventurous with their meal choices. 

Brunch orders have seen the biggest maximum rise overall with orders jumping by 182% in Northern Ireland, while Scotland has seen orders of Greek food – such as moussaka, baklava and gyros – rise by 167%. 

Vegan and vegetarian orders are also on the rise, with plant-based takeaways rising by almost a third (29%). Not every part of the UK is onboard with the veggie options, however, as they’ve dipped by 10% in the Midlands and 7% in Scotland compared to before lockdown. 

Tom Squire, Financial Director at City Pantry, comments: “As businesses and individuals continue to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and practice social distancing, it’s likely we will see further growth in delivered-in meals.

“As such, it’s important that we in the hospitality industry continue to work together to find solutions that are COVID-safe and adapt to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

“We’ve already seen hospitality businesses adapt and create new offerings during lockdown –  from creating recipe boxes of their best-selling dishes to hampers that include treats and alcohol, all available for delivery to people’s homes.

“Convenience and variety have played a big role in this increased demand, with busy remote workers not able to spend sufficient time preparing all their meals from scratch every day.”

And increased alcohol sales isn’t the only habit that has increased during lockdown – dessert orders have risen by a massive 151% in Wales and 141% in the East of England, while the average takeaway order value is now 10% higher than before lockdown. 

To find out more about the North/South divide when it comes to takeaways, please visit: https://blog.citypantry.com/blog/national-takeaway-divide