The festive season proved to be a record-breaking period for food delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway.com, with millions of Brits turning to the platform for celebration essentials and last-minute treats. The company processed a staggering 145,000 orders on Christmas Day alone, capping off a December that saw more than 17 million orders in total across the UK.
Christmas Comfort and Last-Minute Panic
December's fast-paced shift in routines saw convenience become king. A significant 40 per cent of Christmas Day orders were for grocery deliveries, including a surge in last-minute turkey purchases as searches peaked on December 23 and 24. Familiar comfort foods reigned supreme, with sales of pigs in blankets accelerating week-on-week in the run-up to the big day, culminating in 13,000 packs sold.
Leigh Phillipson, commercial director at Just Eat UK, noted the trend: “December is a fast-paced month where routines shift and convenience really comes into its own. We see customers leaning into familiar comfort foods and last-minute treats as they celebrate with friends and family.”
A Bubbly New Year and a Healthy Pivot
As the calendar turned, consumer habits shifted dramatically. New Year’s Eve witnessed a remarkable 300% surge in orders for prosecco and champagne, with more than 4,500 orders placed in the final hour of 2025 alone. However, the mood changed swiftly on January 1st, with sales of coconut water and sports drinks jumping by 132%.
“It was clear to see that customers quickly pivoted to recovery and healthier choices on January 1,” said Ms Phillipson. “They were aiming to get off on the right foot and take part in the health-led trends that we’ll see continue to gain momentum in 2026.”
Chinese Takeaway Demand Doubles
A standout culinary trend throughout the month was the soaring popularity of Chinese cuisine. Orders for Chinese takeaways doubled on both December 24 and 31, with the category attracting more than 350,000 searches across the entire month of December. This spike significantly contributed to the platform's overall busy period.
The festive data comes during a period of transition for the global delivery firm, which took 653 million orders worldwide in 2024. In December, founder Jitse Groen announced he was stepping down after 25 years leading the company, succeeded by Roberto Gandolfo at the start of the new year.
