What you need to know
While home delivery/takeaways enjoy high penetration, their usage remains rare. A perception of the food as unhealthy is a key barrier for usage, reflected in the strong image of home delivery/takeaway as a treat. Younger people and families are more likely than average to order a home delivery/takeaway, and to do so more often, echoing the key role of convenience in prompting usage.
That the UK is an increasingly convenience-driven and tech-savvy society is being reflected within the home delivery/takeaway market. While calling still remains the most popular way of ordering, nearly half of people now typically order online. Apps are used to submit orders by 21% of the tech-savvy 16-24 age group. As the functionality and ease of website/app ordering improves, even those hesitant to change their habits are likely to see the advantages in doing so. The transition towards online ordering is also being helped by the growth of online-based third-party ordering/delivery services, such as Just Eat and Deliveroo.
Third-party ordering/delivery services have also helped to expand the range of cuisines on offer. This is much needed given the high health awareness in the UK and views of home delivery/takeaway food as unhealthy. More healthy, and high-end, options entering the market should help to tackle this negative perception and perhaps transform the role that deliveries/takeaways play within most people’s diets from an infrequent treat to a regular convenient healthy alternative to cooking.
Definition
This Report focuses on takeaway and home delivery of food and drink prepared by foodservice venues (where drink is being ordered with a meal). Such a service typically involves the placing of an order by telephone, via the internet (including apps), via interactive TV (iTV) or in person.
This is an issue-based Report which aims to look at key developments in the foodservice takeaway and home delivery market in the UK. It is primarily focused on analysing consumer behaviour in this regard. For market size information please see individual report categories such as Mintel’s Ethnic Restaurants and Takeaways – UK, February 2016 and Mintel’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurants – UK, November 2015.
Excluded from the scope of this Report are meals to the elderly and infirm eg by the Community Meals Service and retail food delivery such as online grocery shopping.
