The festive season proved to be a record-breaking period for online food delivery giant Just Eat, with a staggering 145,000 orders placed across the UK on Christmas Day alone. The company revealed that a significant wave of last-minute panic-buying was behind the surge, with grocery orders making up 40% of all deliveries on December 25.
Festive Feasting and Last-Minute Panic
December was an exceptionally busy month for the platform, which processed more than 17 million orders overall. The demand was driven not only by groceries but also by a strong appetite for familiar comfort foods. Searches for the classic Christmas centrepiece, turkey, peaked dramatically on December 23 and 24. Meanwhile, the popular side dish of pigs in blankets saw sales accelerate week-on-week in the lead-up to the big day, with 13,000 packs sold through the service.
Leigh Phillipson, Commercial Director at Just Eat UK, commented on the seasonal shift in consumer behaviour. She noted that December is a month where convenience becomes paramount, with customers turning to familiar treats and last-minute solutions as they celebrate with loved ones.
A Bubbly New Year's Eve and a Health-Conscious Start
The trend of celebratory ordering continued as the year turned. On New Year's Eve, Just Eat witnessed a remarkable 300% surge in orders for prosecco and champagne. The celebratory spirit lasted until the final moments of 2025, with over 4,500 orders for bubbly placed in the last hour alone.
However, consumer habits pivoted sharply on January 1st. Sales of coconut water and sports drinks jumped by 132% as people sought healthier options. Ms Phillipson observed that customers were quick to focus on recovery and healthier choices, aiming to start 2026 on the right foot and participate in health-led trends expected to gain momentum throughout the year.
Global Context and Leadership Change
Chinese takeaways also saw massive popularity during the festive period, with orders doubling on both December 24 and 31. The cuisine attracted more than 350,000 searches across the entire month of December.
This UK activity contributed to the global performance of Just Eat Takeaway, which facilitates grocery and takeaway deliveries worldwide. The parent company took 653 million orders globally in 2024.
The report on festive trading comes shortly after a significant leadership change for the company. In December, founder Jitse Groen announced he was stepping down after 25 years at the helm. He was succeeded by Roberto Gandolfo at the start of 2026.
