Work

Menu item prices and promotions offered on a meal delivery app in the UK and their socio-economic patterns

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe menu item prices and promotions on a meal delivery app in the UK and explore their socio-economic patterns. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis. SETTING: We analysed over 21 million menu items from 71 532 food outlets listed on JustEat across the UK. We assessed median prices and types of promotions, examining variations by cuisine (e.g. chicken dishes, pizza) and outlet type (i.e. grocery, chain takeaways). Promotions were categorised into six types: percentage off, stamp cards, free items, meal deal notifications, buy one get one free and low delivery fees. RESULTS: The median number of food outlets accessible via JustEat was sixty-nine per postcode district with delivery access (IQR = 14-225). The median menu item price was £6·25, with small/independent takeaways showing the highest prices. Menu item prices were generally lower in more deprived areas. Promotions were prevalent, with 65·96 % of outlets offering at least one. Outlets delivering to more deprived areas tended to offer more promotions, with the most common being low delivery fees, stamp cards and percentage off. Price and promotion strategies differed across cuisines and outlet types. CONCLUSIONS: Online menu item prices are relatively high, and promotions are widespread in the UK. Food outlets serving deprived areas often offer lower prices and more promotions. These targeted pricing and promotional strategies may influence purchasing behaviour and contribute to diet and health inequalities. Further research is needed to assess their impact on dietary behaviours and population health and guide policy interventions in the digital food environment.

Source: Public Health Nutrition

DOI: 10.1017/s1368980025100529