Cost of living pressures hold down delivery and takeaway sales in February: Britain’s leading restaurant groups continued to struggle for growth in delivery and takeaway sales in February 2025, CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker reveals. Like-for-like sales were up by only 1.7% from February 2024, below the current rate of inflation as measured by the consumer price index. That follows a 0.6% drop in January, which was the tracker’s first negative number for more than 12 months. The flattening of restaurants’ at-home sales is in line with eat-in trends measured by the separate CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. This tracker, based on a different cohort of managed groups, recorded a year-on-year sales increase of just 0.1% in February. Weak growth reflects a squeeze on many consumers’ spending in light of rising household costs, as well as uncertainty about the economic outlook. CGA’s Consumer Pulse research in February showed well over half of Britons remain either severely (18%) or moderately (39%) impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, and 42% said they were going out to eat and drink less frequently – more than double the 18% who were going out more often. A breakdown of CGA’s Hospitality at Home Tracker indicates deliveries provided slightly stronger sales growth in February 2025, rising 2.4% year-on-year. Takeaways and click-and-collect orders increased by just 0.4%, their lowest figure since August. Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director hospitality operators and food EMEA, said: “The flatlining of both eat-in and at-home sales has made it a concerning start to 2025 for many hospitality groups. Rising costs continue to compromise consumers’ discretionary spending, and they are also intensifying the pressure on restaurants’ menu prices and profit margins. Forthcoming increases to employers’ national insurance contributions will further weaken some vulnerable businesses, and support is urgently needed to sustain this vital sector. Better weather will hopefully encourage more people to go out in the next few months but the outlook for 2025 remains challenging.”

PizzaExpress launches fashion line to mark 60th birthday: PizzaExpress is marking its milestone 60th birthday this March with the launch of a clothing line called the Icons Collection. Co-created with Agro Studio, the bespoke London-based design duo, the company said the new fashion range showcases nine unique limited-edition items, ranging from bag charms to a patchwork jacket. It said: “Every piece celebrates PizzaExpress’ rich heritage, re-imagining its signature and most iconic brand elements like Dough Balls and black and white stripes into stylish, wearable pieces, for both adults and children.” Paula MacKenzie, chief executive at PizzaExpress, said: “PizzaExpress is proud to be one of the nations most loved high-street brands, famous for black and white stripes, an iconic menu and timeless style, so we wanted to celebrate in a way that’s as bold and fun as the brand. The Icons Collection brings our most-loved ingredients and signature style to life in a whole new way – because who wouldn’t want to wear their love for Dough Balls?” The new range is available to purchase via the PizzaExpress’ TikTok Shop from today (Thursday, 27 March), and in select restaurants across London, Birmingham and Manchester from 3 April, and Brighton and Edinburgh from 4 April. To coincide with the Icons Collection launch, PizzaExpress has also introduced a new celebratory menu with “innovative takes on iconic dishes”. In addition, the group will be serving its classic pizzas at original prices for one hour only today, with customers able to enjoy an American pizza for just 45p.