Many industries have been crumbling under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, like all tumultuous periods in history, consumer behavior shifts inevitably lead to some sectors losing out. In contrast, others can make the most of a bad situation and even thrive in an era of economic uncertainty.
The Global Rise of Delivery Service
With the worldwide economy in turmoil, millions of jobs have been lost, and future employment is on an uncertain path. A reduced income means that households are forced to consider their purchases more carefully. If you have a brand in need of post-pandemic preparation, these are the trends the pandemic has accelerated that most businesses are picking up on. While not entirely unscathed, one industry that has managed to prosper in the wake of the pandemic is the delivery industry.
Despite the easing of social restrictions, many people are still afraid to venture out to their favorite stores because they fear a COVID-19 infection. For every person feeling frustrated at the sight of empty shelves, there’s another choosing to forego the in-store experience and will turn to their phones instead. Smartphone delivery apps have been helping shut-ins procure everything from taco lunches to groceries, and the number of downloads is unprecedented.
In contrast, and largely due to panic buying, grocery suppliers have experienced a significant revenue jump. Consumer spending in the grocery sector increased by over 87%, and delivery service apps were quintessential in ensuring all those groceries managed to reach the front doors of households all over the country.
How Delivery Service is Helping an Ailing Restaurant Industry
One of the biggest losers in the pandemic is the restaurant industry. More than 48,000 restaurants have been forced to shutter their doors to diners, but there are quite a few that have managed to sustain their business by offering takeout as an option. Rather than pick up their meals, patrons are choosing to have their meals delivered to their doorstep.
Meal delivery service concept shot by twinsterphoto, 123RF.
Dining out has dropped by more than 50%, and pizzerias, fast food restaurants, fruit and vegetable shops, and grocery stores have taken up the slack. Many have even managed to slice off a more significant share of the market in the process. Running a restaurant or an eatery, and need to increase your brand awareness on Instagram? Click the button below to find out how you can widen your brand’s reach with this popular social media platform.
Deliveries are Supporting A Bustling E-Commerce Industry
Fewer people are hitting the high street to make their purchases, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t found an alternative means for doing their shopping. Many industries have been receiving a lot less foot traffic than they are used to, so they have put their focus into developing an online presence.
Small delivery business concept by ammentorp, 123RF.
More than a quarter of shoppers have said they have avoided busy places to do their shopping because of the pandemic. Purchases still need to be made, and businesses that have developed their e-commerce portals reap the benefits. An increase in online purchases is leading to more goods being delivered to the consumer’s door.
The demand for food delivery service has exploded, and with more people using e-commerce to make online purchases, it will only increase. The pandemic has forced a significant portion of the population to try online shopping and food ordering for the first time, and many of those have said they will continue to do so once the pandemic has run its course. For this reason, it’s highly likely that the delivery industry will continue to see increased demand for some time to come.
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