Uber Eats research flags growing demand for rapid grocery and retail deliveries over festive period
According to new research from Uber Eats, on-demand delivery has become essential to the modern British Christmas, with a near 20% increase in total grocery orders on Christmas Eve alone last year.
As the nation depends more than ever on doorstep delivery for festive survival, the company has announced the launch of new products for shoppers and merchants - including Live Order Editing, Batch Picking and a new gifting hub.
December 2024 saw a historic rush for the entire Christmas table to be delivered on-demand, with key items seeing huge spikes in search and sales on Uber Eats. Potatoes were the single most ordered grocery item on Uber Eats in December, while searches more than doubled for pigs in blankets, Champagne and mince pies in December. Brits even searched for over three tonnes of Turkey on Christmas Day itself.
Demand for festive gifting items is also growing, with orders of gift supplies and gift sets more than doubling last December compared to the prior year. To help ensure Brits never turn up empty handed or leave anyone out, Uber Eats is this year launching an on-demand gifting hub featuring partners such as Boots and John Lewis, and inventory ranging from cards and candles to perfume, prosecco, and even AirPods delivered to their door.
The aformentioned new products include:
Live order editing: change items or quantities up until your shopper puts them in the cart - no need to cancel your order or start over. Just tap ‘Add items’ or ‘Edit items’ on your order tracking screen to update your cart with more festive favourites.
Replacement preferences: if an item in your order isn’t available, you can now decide exactly how you’d like it replaced - plus, with the help of AI, Uber Eats will suggest replacements based on price, nutrition, and your past orders. Soon, choices will be saved automatically for future orders.
Pick orders in batches to save time: in-store staff can now collect the items for multiple orders at once so they can organise ‘batch picking’ by each section of the store and make the packing process more efficient.
Katie Hunter, General Manager of Grocery & Retail at Uber Eats UK, says: “Christmas is a magical time, but it can also be incredibly hectic. Whether you're cooking for ten, dashing to a party, or buying the perfect gifts, Uber Eats is helping customers get what they need, when and where they need it.”
“We’re also committed to helping our retail partners grow during this critical period, with the tools, insights, and tech to help them stay competitive and deliver a seamless on-demand experience.”
Chris Conway, Quick Commerce Director, Co-Op, says: “The festive period is a busy time for many of our members and customers so, with a convenience store in every postal area of the UK, we’re focussed on making it easy for shoppers to get delicious festive favourites and everyday essentials delivered to their homes when they need it. Whether it’s for unexpected guests, top-up or forgotten items, or an evening in, we’re able to provide great quality, value and choice, quickly and conveniently.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
On demand delivery was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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