Just Eat delivered a strong December, as consumers leaned on the platform festive takeaways, forgotten essentials and New Year celebrations.
New data from the rapid food delivery service found it processed more than 17 million orders during the month, with Chinese cuisine emerging as the standout performer.
Orders more than doubled on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, while Chinese food was the most searched-for cuisine in December, attracting more than 350,000 searches.
The business reported that demand spiked on Christmas Day, with more than 145,000 orders placed, as shoppers turned to takeaways as an alternative to traditional turkey dinners or to cover last-minute grocery gaps.
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Meanwhile grocery deliveries accounted for 40% of all Christmas Day orders, driven by forgotten essentials and festive favourites such as pigs in blankets, which saw 13,000 packs ordered across the month.
Just Eat commercial director Leigh Phillipson: “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.
“However, it was clear to see that customers quickly pivoted to recovery and healthier choices on 1st Jan, 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.
“From Chinese takeaways to a sharp rise in on-demand grocery, the data reflects how Just Eat supports customers through changing needs across the month, while helping our restaurant and retail partners capture demand at critical moments.”
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