Global information company The NPD Group says results from its COVID-19 British Foodservice Sentiment Tracker shows nine out of 10 respondents agree that temporary closure of out-of-home or eat-out establishments is a sensible precaution. Carried out on 20th March 2020, before the nationwide lockdown was announced, the NPD survey indicates that there is scope for the delivery channel to extend its reach.
Almost four in 10 (39%) of respondents are already using delivery services, and a further 42% told NPD that delivery services are either not available where they live, or that they do not use delivery services. However, one in 10 respondents (10%) said they will now try using delivery for the first time during the COVID-19 outbreak. A further 8% of those who regularly order from a delivery service will now do so more often.
Looking ahead, more than half of all respondents (53%) say they will return to eating out once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and British foodservice outlets are permitted to open in a conventional manner. In addition, a quarter of respondents (24%) say they will eat out more often than before.
