Public look to food delivery services as lockdown takes effect

More than 50% of people are using or planning to use delivery and takeaway services during the coronavirus crisis, which saw prime minister Boris Johnson call for a country-wide lockdown yesterday evening.

Research by CGA has showed that 13% of those getting delivery have done so for the first time or more often than normal in recent weeks. The survey also showed an appetite for delivered drinks with 32% the public expressing an interest.

Peter Martin, vice-president of CGA, said: "With major fast food and sandwich chains like McDonald's, Greggs, Pret and Burger King now closing, local operators who are able to keep their kitchens open for delivery could play a vital role in taking the strain off of the supermarkets."

The survey showed the biggest demand for delivery is among those who usually eat out at least weekly, particularly the under-35s, parents and those living in city centres.

The findings also highlighted a demand in suburbia with nearly half (48%) of all those who are planning to increase delivery in the next few weeks living in such locations. Although even in rural locations demand has surged with 22% planning to increase the frequency of their use of delivery.

Jamie Campbell, chief operating officer at CPL Learning, added: "Communicating your commitment to exemplary food hygiene principles and product quality is crucial to bolstering consumer confidence. For many operators takeaway and delivery services will be entirely new to them. They are having to quickly adapt their operations to meet this demand, so considerations and processes need to be put in place that they don't risk damaging their business reputation or more importantly, people's health."

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