Just Eat UK profits jumped in the first half of 2024 as the rapid delivery firm continued to scale its grocery business.

Adjusted EBITDA in the UK and Ireland, which made up over a quarter (27%) of Just Eat orders, improved by 64% to £77.6m (€92m) from £47.2m (€56m) in the first half of 2023. The group said this came as a result of lower delivery costs per order following the simplification of its fulfilment model.

UK sales were also up 7% to £566m (€672m) as it continued to expand its grocery business.

While orders were broadly flat at 120 million, Just Eat said it doubled its grocery consumer penetration against last year through adding supermarkets such as Morrisons and doubling number of Sainsbury’s stores it delivers from.

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It added: “Considerable headroom remains for continued expansion in our grocery and retail business, offering significant opportunities to grow our future revenues and further optimise our delivery network.”

Across the group, half-year adjusted EBITDA increased 42% year on year to £171m (€203m).

As a result, Just Eat CEO and founder Jitse Groen said the business is “well on track to achieve our guidance for the full year” of overall adjusted EBITDA of £379m (€450m) for 2024.

It comes as Morrisons revealed yesterday it has expanded its partnership with Just Eat, with over 380 supermarkets now offering the rapid delivery firm’s services.