New data has revealed the regional differences when it comes to where Brits are spending their money on food – from grocery shopping to fast food chains, delivery services, and restaurants.
Sainsbury's is the preferred supermarket for those in the South West and South East of England, who also favour fast food establishments such as Pret-A-Manger and KFC.
Meanwhile, further up the country, Iceland is the most popular supermarket in the North East, while Asda takes the mantle in the North West – with Greggs and Burger King the preferred fast food joints in these regions, respectively.
But when it comes to hungry Brits looking to get a takeaway delivered, there is a clear nationwide winner as to where they will turn to order their food – Deliveroo.
The delivery app is the most popular service in London, the East of England, East Midlands, the North West, the South East, and the South West.
Those in the Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber, will turn to Just Eat, while Wales and the West Midlands prefer to order off Uber Eats.
And respondents in the capital city will typically do their shopping at Waitrose, and pop into Pret-A-Manger for a bit of fast food, or Pizza Express for a sit-down meal.
The data, from online bank Revolut, found that adults are nationally spending 14% more at supermarkets year-on-year, and the number of transactions is up 16% – suggesting many are shopping little and often.
But Tesco won out as the supermarket where the most money is spent overall, being the most popular choice in Northern Ireland and the East of England.
A spokesman for Revolut, which has five million UK customers, said: “The UK has always been a melting pot of tastes, and it is fascinating to see which establishments are drawing the most interest from customers, as well as their hard-earned cash.
“The current economic climate has everyone thinking about their spending. We all have our preferences.”
The battle for domination in the fast-food space is similar to the supermarket race, with one brand being the nation’s favourite – McDonald’s.
And those who love dining out also have opposing views when it comes to a sit-down meal on the high street.
In London and the East Midlands, pizza wins, with Pizza Express and Pizza Hut dominating in those regions respectively.
The East of England also favours some Italian flavour, selecting Prezzo as their restaurant of choice – while the Welsh are most likely to treat themselves to some Frankie and Benny’s.
As for restaurants where adults are spending the most money, Wetherspoons is the preferred venue to run up a tab – although Nando’s receives an honourable mention for taking the top slot in London, the North West, and Northern Ireland.
Nationally, Brits are dishing out 16% more money at restaurants, year-on-year.
However, it appears lockdown take-out habits have continued, as the number of transactions on meal delivery services is up by 29% this year.
The spokesman for Revolut added: “We’re glad to see many people in the UK are treating themselves by dining out and ordering meals in – but with our customers using our budgeting and analytics tools year-round, we’re also delighted to see Brits striking a balance.
“UK customers using our Savings Vaults increased their savings by over 40% this year.
“Additionally, we’ve noticed Brits have been especially charitable in 2022 – £2.1 million has been donated in 2022 by UK Revolut customers to the British Red Cross, to help those impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.”
MOST POPULAR SUPERMARKET BY REGION: (*Supermarkets spent the most at in each region when compared to others)
- East Midlands – Lidl
- East of England – Tesco
- London – Waitrose
- North East – Iceland
- North West – Asda
- Northern Ireland – Tesco
- Scotland – M&S
- South East – Sainsbury's
- South West – Sainsbury's
- Wales – Co-Op
- West Midlands – Aldi
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Morrisons
MOST POPULAR DELIVERY SERVICE BY REGION:
- East Midlands – Deliveroo
- East of England – Deliveroo
- London – Deliveroo
- North East – Just Eat
- North West – Deliveroo
- Northern Ireland – Just Eat
- Scotland – Just Eat
- South East – Deliveroo
- South West – Deliveroo
- Wales – Uber Eats
- West Midlands – Uber Eats
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Just Eat
MOST POPULAR FAST FOOD BY REGION: (*Fast food chains spent the most at in each region when compared to others)
- East Midlands – McDonald's
- East of England – McDonald's
- London – Pret-A-Manger
- North East – Greggs
- North West – Burger King
- Northern Ireland – McDonald's
- Scotland – Subway
- South East – Pret-A-Manger
- South West – KFC
- Wales – Domino's Pizza
- West Midlands – Subway
- Yorkshire and the Humber – KFC
MOST POPULAR RESTAURANTS BY REGION: (*Chain restaurants spent the most at in each region when compared with others)
- East Midlands – Pizza Hut
- East of England – Prezzo
- London – Pizza Express
- North East – Wetherspoons
- North West – YO! Sushi
- Northern Ireland – Nando's
- Scotland – TGI Friday's
- South East – Wagamama
- South West – Turtle Bay
- Wales – Frankie & Benny's
- West Midlands – Las Iguanas
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Slug and Lettuce
