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Chinese Takeaway And “Forgotten Groceries” Fuel December Spike In On-Demand Orders

Just Eat reports that it processed more than 17 million UK orders in December, as customers leaned on on-demand delivery for both takeaway meals and last-minute groceries across the Christmas and New Year period.

The data illustrates a clear December pattern: comfort cuisine at celebration moments, paired with essential grocery top-ups when festive planning fell short — and a swift pivot to “recovery” purchasing on New Year’s Day.

Comfort Cuisine Takes The Lead

Chinese food was the standout performer. Orders more than doubled on both 24 December and 31 December, and Chinese was the most searched cuisine on the platform in December, drawing more than 350,000 searches across the month.

For operators, the implication is straightforward: predictable peak nights are increasingly concentrated around calendar moments, and customers are actively searching by cuisine when deciding what to order.

Christmas Day: Takeaway Plus Grocery “Rescue Missions”

Demand held strong on 25 December, with more than 145,000 orders placed on Christmas Day alone. A notable share of this demand was driven by retail essentials: grocery orders accounted for 40% of Christmas Day deliveries, reflecting the growing role of on-demand platforms in “forgotten item” shopping — whether that is a missing ingredient, a last-minute dessert, or basics such as milk.

Seasonal grocery lines also showed strong momentum. Pigs in blankets accelerated week-on-week in the run up to Christmas, with 13,000 packs ordered during December, while searches for turkey peaked on 23 and 24 December as households finalised their Christmas roast plans.

New Year’s Eve Peaks, New Year’s Day Resets

Ordering surged again in the final stretch of 31 December, with more than 4,500 orders placed in the last hour of New Year’s Eve. Celebration purchasing was clear: prosecco and champagne orders rose by 300%as customers prepared for midnight.

By 1 January, purchasing behaviour shifted quickly towards hydration and wellness. Sales of coconut water and sports drinks increased by 132%, with more than 3,000 orders placed as customers sought “reset” products after the festivities.

What The Data Signals For Foodservice And Retail

December’s spike reinforces that on-demand delivery is now a multi-vertical behaviour — spanning restaurants, convenience, grocery and gifting — and that customer intent can change within hours.

For hospitality and retail leaders, the operational priorities increasingly include:

• Peak-night readiness for 24 and 31 December (staffing, prep capacity, delivery-time control)

• Search-led demand capture(clear cuisine positioning, high-performing hero items, smart bundles)

• Retail essentials availability(tight stock control, substitutions, and “forgotten item” baskets)

• Seasonal ranging that supports both celebration and recovery moments
  
  

As the market moves further into 2026, December’s pattern also underscores the commercial advantage for operators that can stay visible, available and well-ranged at the moments customers need speed and certainty most.

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