The Rise of Online Takeaway Food in the Modern World
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Online Takeaway Food |
Changing
Lifestyle and Growth of Internet Usage
With fast-paced lifestyles and long working hours, people hardly find time to
cook elaborate meals at home. The rise of the nuclear family structure means
fewer people live with extended families who would pitch in to help with
household chores like cooking. At the same time, internet penetration has
exploded in both developed and developing countries over the last decade.
According to data from the International Telecommunication Union, over 53% of
the world's population were internet users in 2021. Increased access to
high-speed internet on mobile phones has changed consumer habits and behaviors.
Online food delivery services have cropped up to meet the demand for convenient
and hassle-free eating options.
Convenience and Variety Offered by
Aggregator Platforms
Major Online
Takeaway Food aggregators operate sophisticated platforms that allow
customers to select from an extensive catalogue of nearby restaurants and food
stalls. Customers can browse through menus, check live order status and pay
securely using digital payment methods. Restaurant partners are onboarded after
vetting for hygiene and quality standards. This helps ensure consistent food
quality is maintained. The platforms also provide valuable data analytics and
marketing tools to help restaurants maximize their reach. Customers appreciate
the one-stop convenience of locating different cuisines under one platform,
often with bundled discounts and cashback offers. This has strengthened
customer loyalty to these aggregators.
Changing Restaurant Business Models
For restaurants, the pandemic accelerated their transition to online and
delivery models. Even fine-dining restaurants now see online orders accounting
for 20-30% of their total business. This allowed many restaurants to stay
afloat during lockdowns. It has also helped expand their potential customer
base beyond their immediate vicinity. Many restaurants now leverage omnichannel
strategies, integrating dine-in, takeaway and delivery menus. Independent cloud
kitchens or dark/ghost kitchens have emerged predominantly catering to delivery
demand without dine-in space. This significantly cuts down on real estate costs
for restaurants.
Rise of On-Demand Delivery
Platforms have also advanced their delivery networks, optimizing for faster
delivery times. Most major players now promise under 30 minutes for order
deliveries within a few miles radius of restaurants. This has been enabled
through investments in localized micro-fulfillment centers and hyperlocal
delivery personnel called delivery partners. Delivery partners use GPS-enabled
powered two-wheelers or bicycles enabled with thermal boxes to quickly
transport hot and fresh food. Many platforms also leveraged delivery partners
with other on-demand services like transportation or grocery deliveries for
greater Optimization and revenue sources. The success of on-demand delivery
models has set customer expectations for instant and hassle-free experiences
across industries.
Expanding into Newer Sectors
Beyond restaurant food, online takeaway food have also expanded into new
verticals like purchase and delivery of groceries, pharmacy essentials, flowers
and gifts. Major retail chains have rolled out their own online platforms or
partnerships with food tech companies for home delivery of mega shopping
baskets within time slots. Consumers found the value proposition of consolidated
shopping and delivery especially relevant during the pandemic. Growth focus has
also shifted to tier 2/3 cities within countries. Vernacular interfaces and
localized payment methods have helped drive adoption in these emerging markets.
Newer vertical-specific platforms for segments like milk delivery are also
emerging to tap the massive market potential.
Global Growth and Maturity
Countries across regions like China, Indonesia, India, Brazil have seen
explosive growth of online food ordering and delivery supported by thriving
local startups as well as global players expanding internationally. China
having led the evolution with platforms like Meituan realized over $100 Bn GMV
in 2021. With over a decade of operations, markets like US, UK have reached
maturation stage with platforms focusing on profitability over top-line growth.
However, with only around 25% global penetration achieved so far, overall
industry outlook remains robust over the next 5 years. Expanding into rural
geographies, new verticals and addressing concerns around commissions will be
key focus areas to sustain growth momentum in the post pandemic world.
Online takeaway food has revolutionized the way people discover, order and
consume food globally. It has opened vast opportunities for both established
and new local restaurants while transforming consumer lifestyles through
unparalleled convenience and choices. Continued innovations across technology,
operations, supply chain and customer experience will ensure this evolves into
a highly optimized and sustainable sector in the future.
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Insights on: Online
Takeaway Food
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