It is the Tracker’s second negative number of 2025 and the fifth consecutive month of below-inflation growth.
The marginal decline is in line with the separate CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, which recorded a year-on-year drop of 0.9% in managed restaurant groups’ total sales in April, but 9.1% growth for pubs as warm weather encouraged consumers into beer gardens and terraces.
“Warm weather is usually better news for pubs than restaurants, and it’s clear that drinking-out was the priority in April,” says Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA.
“Disposable incomes remain limited for many consumers, and with various other options for their money, a softening in delivery and takeaway sales isn’t surprising.”
The Tracker shows slightly better trading for deliveries than takeaways in April.
Delivery revenue was exactly level year-on-year, while sales from takeaways and click-and-collect orders fell 1.9% on a like-for-like basis.
Total combined sales were 10% ahead of April 2024, reflecting a sharp increase in venues providing deliveries and takeaways in the last 12 months.
Chessell adds that while delivery and takeaway sales have now been flat or below inflation for five months, it follows a period of significant growth in the channel.
“Operators will be hoping that momentum returns over the summer as habits settle and demand picks up again.”